Tiger to come face-to-face with a real handicapped golfer

TIGER WOODS will know exactly what it’s like to have a genuine handicap when he competes alongside Manuel de Santos in next week’s JP McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor.

The Dominican Republic born De Santos lost his left leg below the knee after being struck by a motor vehicle.

However, the 26-year old then lived out a dream in teeing-up in last year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and then last month he joined the likes of Colin Montgomerie, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Rhys Davies at a three-day golf exhibition at the Stoke Park Golf Club.

Now De Santos continues his dream after being invited to join the likes of Woods and Irish Major champions Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell in the two-day charity fund raiser in Co. Limerick.

“I have never played in Ireland so I am very grateful to Mr McManus for inviting me,” he said in Versailles where he is attending the French Open.

“My dream came true last year when I played at St Andrews and now I am playing in the same tournament as Tiger Woods. It’s just unbelievable.”

After his accident De Santos moved to Paris with his wife, Elena where he came across the film ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance’. De Santos became instantly hooked on golf. He plays off a handicap of three and can hit the ball around 260-yards from the tee.

However he’s currently battling a nasty-looking hand infection that will require treatment before next Monday’s Adare Manor first round.