WILTSHIRE golfer Ben Stow is recovering well after a knee injury forced him to have surgery.

The 25-year-old, from East Knoyle, near Warminster, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while he was walking down a hill.

The injury not only ruled him out of playing but it also required him to go under the knife for reconstructive surgery.

“I was walking down a hill and fell. It had lots of loose rocks on it and when I regained my balance, my knee was at a bad angle and boom,” said the 25-year-old.

“I knew something was wrong because I felt a shot in my knee and then it went really hot. I saw my physiotherapist and he said you’ve done something there, so I went to see a doctor."

The injury has resulted in a lengthy lay-off from the sport, but Stow has his eyes on a return to the course in January.

“I had the operation in the spring. If everything goes to plan, I have another five months of rehab to go,” added the Wiltshire golfer.

“It’s probably the best time for me to get injured because I have good status, so I can just take medical exemption (on the European Challenge Tour) so I’ll start next year where I left off.

“There is no rush to get back and I won’t start playing until January next year, at the very earliest, so I can just take the year out."

While the injury has caused the golfer to take an unscheduled break from the game, Stow thinks it could benefit him in the long run.

“I’m young so my recovery has been pretty smooth so far. I’ll come back fitter and better than I was before,” he added.

“It is pretty frustrating not being able to get around. Now I am pretty good because I can walk around and I can drive, but the first two weeks were horrible.

“I haven’t really thought about the golf. When I play full-time, it is all about me, my golf, what’s next and how I can get better.

“At the moment, it is a nice chance for me to let go, relax and try to spend some more time with my family.

“Mentally, I’ll be in a good place because I will be fresh. I think I will be a better athlete than I was before.

“There is a lot to look forward to look forward to. Although it is a negative, it will remind me I actually love what I do.”