IN 2012, professional golfer Kevin Jackson thought he would never play again.

He was recovering from surgery which had failed to repair nerve damage in his left forearm and wrist and left him wearing a wire cage to support a drooping hand.

Six years later, Mr Jackson celebrated his first professional win since recovering.

After accepting an invitation as a late replacement in the NE-NW Portugal Pro-Am, he defied all the odds to end the week a winner in the Algarve. The Ramside-based professional shot a four round total of 11 under par to win by six shots. He capped off victory with a six-under par final round at Palmeres Golf Club, Lagos.

Mr Jackson, 46, said: “It was an emotional week for me. I knew I was in with a chance of winning after my third round. I went for a walk on the beach and just said to myself ‘have courage, make it happen,’ and I played great golf in the last round.”

Tom Flowers, secretary of the NE-NW PGA, said Mr Jackson, who runs KRJ Golf Coaching, was a great example to everyone to never give up.