Stuart Manley from Wales got into the World Cup of Golf this week as a partner for Jamie Donaldson. After finishing fifth on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai last week, Donaldson was forced to withdraw this week with a sore back.

Manley, ranked No 346 in the world, was allowed to play in the individual portion of the World Cup, which offers a $7 million purse.

He has definitely experienced the lows of a professional golfer. In 123 career starts on the European Tour, he has only made 44 cuts and earned €378,000. He had lost his European Tour card, but earned it back via Q-School last week.

Playing in the World Cup representing Wales is one of his all-time highs and offers a huge payday for the journeyman.

In Saturday’s third round, he had the experience of a lifetime.

Manley began his third round with birdies at his first two holes. At the par-three third, he holed an eight-iron for an ace and thought he had won a new Mercedes Benz. Alas, the car is only awarded for a hole-in-one made in the final round.

On the next hole Manley experienced the extreme lows of golf.

His drive was off the fairway at No. 4 and his second shot found a greenside bunker on the par-four. His sand shot failed to hold the putting surface and rolled off the back of the green. His fourth shot rolled back over and off the front of the green. Four chip shots later, he was finally able to keep his ball on the putting surface. Missing his second putt for a 10, he tapped in for a seven-over par 11.

The Golf Gods giveth……and the Golf Gods taketh away.     

Manley turned professional after he attended West Florida University and was a member of the 2003 Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup Team.

He has bounced up and down between the Challenge and European Tours throughout his career. Playing this week in the World Cup is a huge opportunity for the veteran.