The Greatest Comeback

In September he played all three rounds in a full-field Champions Tour event (where every shot counts), the Montreal Championship at Vallee du Richelieu Rouville, in Sainte-Julie, Quebec. He chose the Montreal tournament for his debut because the course is fairly flat, but still a real championship layout, not too long but with very tricky greens. It was recently renovated by Asia-based design firm Nelson & Haworth, who were responsible for the East Course at The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau. The fairways are soft, but the new greens are very firm. That is fine for Green, as it suits him not to have too many awkward stances and he has the touch of an angel around the greens.

"I was so nervous on the first tee,” he said. "Like it was my first tournament. I didn’t want to screw up. Was hoping to break 80 and not embarrass myself."

On a sunny day with a little nip in the air, Green teed it up and promptly made a bogey on the first hole. On the second tee he pulled-hooked his drive left into the trees and had no option but a punch under the limbs to a raised green 220 yards away. He executed it perfectly, hitting a low runner that ended up just short of the fringe. One deft chip and a putt for par restored his confidence and calmed his nerves. Two more bogeys, two birdies and a lot of short game in between and the crowd at the 18th gave him a standing ovation as he ambled onto the green to make yet another par save to finish his first round at one over. Only 15 of the 80 players had scored better. Ken was four shots off the lead.

The second round dawned cold and damp, the least ideal conditions for Green. He came to the first tee all bundled up, looking like Snoopy’s Red Baron, trying to keep warm. He looked absolutely miserable. But he played like a dream nailing three birdies against three bogeys to remain at one over. And the crowd cheered on. Green was the story of the tournament, an inspiration for all.

Alas, though the final day began with a birdie on the first hole, living through two days of the Cinderella story had just beat Ken down, physically and emotionally. One bird doesn’t offset seven bogeys and a double. Still, rounds of 73, 72, 80 for a total 225 beats a lot of wily old pros.

"I’m very pleased with what happened this week," Green wrote on his blog, which can be read at www.kengreenscomeback.com. “Today was just impossible for me. I had three things going against me and I’m just not that good a man yet. I had only one hour sleep due to discomfort, my wound opened and turned into a blood bath down in my socket and the cold wind was just too much for me.

"I’m thrilled with the progress I’ve made since June. Once I get this winter under my belt, I truly believe I will be much better and from there I just must play more tournament golf, so I can get my brain reacting to tournament golf. To be where I was before this myriad of problems hit today is just awesome.

"Thank you all for caring and please know your support means the world to me."

With his new computer operated prosthetic, a wonderfully grounded girlfriend and lofty but realistic goals, his life may be back, and on a new track.

"Maybe if I get little stronger it would be nice to go back (to Hong Kong) and continue my hope of bringing the story of hope and fight to the East."