VIRGINIA WATER, England — Two years ago Ignacio Garrido feared his career might be over so it is hardly surprising he has worn an almost permanent grin throughout this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
The Spaniard won the European Tour's flagship event in 2003 but 10 years later was told he had glandular fever.
Garrido spent a long time bed-ridden and unable to walk but he has slowly worked his way back toward full fitness and last week's Spanish Open at El Prat represented his competitive return after 18 months out.
"There were times when I thought I had played my last event so that's why I keep smiling all the time," the 43-year-old told Reuters in an interview after a closing 73 gave him a respectable two-under total of 286.