Rich is made of Sterner stuff now

Three wrist ops and a titanium disc in his back but no keeping down South African

- BY JIM BLACK

RICHARD STERNE couldn't even swing a club not long ago – but now golf's bionic man is back and looking better than ever.

The 43-year-old, rebuilt with titanium and scar tissue after years of career-threatening injuries, fired a five-under 67 to grab the first-round lead at the Nexo Championship in Balmedie.

But Springbok Sterne revealed that hes fortunate still to be earning a living from his sport after losing four years of his career to wrist and back injuries.

The six-time European Tour winner feared at one stage that he would be forced to quit altogether after suffering intense pain.

Sterne revealed: ‘I've had three wrist surgeries since 2020 and I have a titanium disc in my lower back where they had to come through the front. That was two years ago and after being out for four of the last five years, I'm just trying to get back.