Chia guns for 2014 return

Danny Chia ©eddieputera|TCH
Danny Chia ©eddieputera|TCH

Kuala Lumpur: Professional Danny Chia is confident of a full recovery from a career-threatening injury which has sidelined him since June.

The long-standing Malaysian flagbearer has also confirmed he will not play competitive golf for the remainder of this year in order to be fully fit for the 2014 season.

A build up of bone fragments pressing on a nerve saw Chia lose most of the muscle mass in his right arm but after a five-hour operation on September 5, the 40-year-old is delighted that the problem has been addressed with a titanium plate being inserted to secure C4 and C5 vertebrae and the removal of excess calcification.

“I need four months of rehabilitation. It is frustrating as I have been working hard on my swing but I am happy that a long term problem has been cured,” said Chia.

The Malaysian suffered from discomfort for years with doctors unable to identify the cause. However, more recently it took two months and three MRI scans to diagnose the problem.

“I tried acupuncture and physiotherapy and went to the chiropractor but nothing really helped. It is a huge relief that it has now been sorted and I can now focus on restarting my career,” added Chia.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me, especially my sponsors Maybank, Carlsberg and The Star. On the plus side the layoff will allow me to spend more time with my family and attend corporate days, junior clinics and appear at other events for my sponsors,” said Chia, who last played in the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Templer Park Masters, where he finished in a tie for 26th.