Green to have lower right leg amputated; still wants to play

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Champions Tour member Ken Green will have his right lower leg amputated Monday, a week after he was involved in an accident that killed his brother and girlfriend, Green's agent said Saturday.

Green

"Despite our hopes and prayers, Ken's lower right leg below the knee has to be amputated," Kevin Richardson said. "In numerous meetings over the past several days with his doctors, it is apparent the damage to his leg is too severe to overcome. Other doctors around the country have been consulted, and they concurred. With Ken's knowledge and consent, the procedure is scheduled to take place Monday."

Richardson said the surgery will be performed by surgeons George Russell and James Woodall at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.

Richardson said the 50-year-old Green, who won five PGA TOUR titles in the 1980s but struggled with his game for almost two decades, hasn't given up on playing golf again.

"Ken said, 'If it (leg) is not gonna work, then take it off so I can play,'" Richardson said. "Ken wants a functioning leg, ankle and foot so he can play golf. To accomplish that, and to prevent any further compromise or loss, amputation is the only real choice.

"Remarkable advances have been made in the past few years in prosthetic devices, including those for below the knee. We have all witnessed the brave Iraq war veterans who have returned home and are an inspiration in many ways, including playing golf. Ken, too, plans to be an inspiration and leading example of what one can do after suffering such a setback."

Green was in the back of his recreational vehicle traveling on Interstate-20 in Mississippi last Monday when the right front tire blew, causing the RV to veer off the road and go down a deep embankment before hitting a tree.

The accident killed Green's brother, William, who Green said was driving; Green's girlfriend, Jeanne Hodgin of Greensboro, N.C.; and Green's dog, a German Shepherd named Nip.

Richardson said doctors told Green he might be able to keep his leg if he was willing to go through two years' of surgeries. Even so, Green would have been left with a non-functional ankle and foot because of the extensive damage to the leg.

Richardson said golf legend Arnold Palmer called Green to wish him well on Friday, a day after Barbara Nicklaus called with her best wishes.

"This is heart wrenching news to all of us," Richardson said of the amputation. "But we must all be warriors for Ken. He is not giving up and nor shall we."