Famous for his incredible win at the 1999 Open Golf Championships at Carnoustie Golf Links where he came back from being 10 shots down to beat Frenchman Jean van der Velde, Paul Lawrie remains the last Scot to win a Major.
For the last few years though an unstable ankle has frustrated the Scotsman to the point where it looked like his golf career was coming to an enforced end and dramatic reconstructive surgery to reposition and fuse bones as well as grafting and tendon transfer would be involved. He declined as the prospect of returning to competitive golf could have been lost.

In 2018 a remarkable chance meeting with former SRU physiotherapist Stuart Barton who had never met Paul but who knew of his troubles, led the golfer to consult Professor Mackay. On examining his ankle Professor Mackay was convinced that Paul could be helped by innovative InternalBrace surgery to stabilise the joint by repairing the stretched ligaments and damaged tendon that were causing the joint to painfully collapse during every round Paul played. This offered the prospect of accelerated and complete recovery by restoring normal anatomy.

Professor Mackay researched Paul's unique golfing injury and, along with fellow surgeons in the US, conceived of bespoke surgery to treat him. Paul was delighted to be offered the chance to try InternalBrace surgery and underwent it in October 2018.

Several months of physio followed with Stuart Barton Physiotherapy & Fitness and we were not be more delighted to see that Paul has made a remarkable recovery and is about to tee off in the The Open
In our video Paul and Professor Mackay take you through his remarkable story - from his injuries to his surgery, his rehabilitation to finally being back playing at the top level with a return to the Open at Royal Portrush in 2019.