Hong Kong golf champ finds salvation in a needle

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland (AFP) — Hong Kong Open winner Jose Manuel Lara has revealed how a Korean acupuncturist helped him salvage a career he feared could be wrecked by a painful Achilles injury.

Lara, 30, capped a steady rise up the ranks of the European Tour when he triumphed at Fanling in November.

But just as he appeared set for greater things, the Spanish star found himself handicapped by pain in his left heel that was, at times, so severe he could hardly walk.

Since the win in Hong Kong, his best results on the tour have been a couple of ties for 44th place and he has been forced to retire injured in three tournaments.

"I don't know how I did it," Lara revealed after posting a second-round 65 to earn a share of the lead at the three-million-pound...