Briton shows a stiff upper lip

Golf

Friday 07 February 1997 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The trouble with the modern British sportsman, so the revellers in nostalgia say, is that they lack commitment and guts; they are soft; they have it far too easy.

In Bangkok, a Dubai-based English golfer showed a British stiff upper lip in the face of adversity and came out on top in the Asian Classic. Lee Petters, playing his first tournament as a full-time professional, was flattened on the 14th when hit by the backswing of his Pakistani playing partner, Shakeep Hussain. His nose was split open and he lay on the ground for five minutes filling three towels with blood, but the 26-year-old got up to birdie the par-five hole.

When Petters eventually walked off the final green, he had a six-under- par 66 on his card. That was two strokes better than the experienced American Curtis Strange and four better than Tiger Woods.

Petters, of the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, had no thoughts of throwing in the towel. He said: "The doctor said I had to go off to get the wound stitched but being four under for my round at the time there was no way I was going to leave."

Whether he wins or loses, at least he has shown the right sort of British sporting spirit.

Scores, Digest, page 25

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in