Sport Book Service | Double amputee Mike Rolls defies medics to play pro-am golf tournament with US star Rickie Fowler in Melbourne

A MAN WHO is a double amputee with five per cent chance of survival has defied medical predictions to play in pro-am golf tournament alongside US star Rickie Fowler.

Mike Rolls contracted meningococcal septicaemia while he was away on a football trip at the age of 18in September 2001.

Mike Rolls is now a five handicap, better than before he became ill and lost his legsCredit: Getty Images

He fell terribly ill and wasunconscious for five weeks.

Medics in his homeland of Australiagave him a five per cent survival rate.

The infection spread throughout his body, leading to the amputation of his right leg, along with two fingers on his right hand.

Mike said: "I remember the doctor coming in first time and saying, Mike, youre going to be in hospital for a very long time.'

"The very next day he came and said, Mike, youve been very sick, youve contracted meningococcal septicaemia.

And the very next day he came and said, Youve lost your right leg below the knee. "

At one point doctors told his parents he had just an hour to live.

Mike Rolls plays a shot in the Melbourne pro-amCredit: Getty Images

Mike returned to golf after both legs were amputatedCredit: Instagram @Mike Rolls

Mike Rolls says he is better golf now with prosthetic legsCredit: Instagram @Mike Rolls

Mike Rolls is a five handicap golferCredit: Instagram @Mike Rolls

He is a motivational speaker who encourages kids to make the most oflifeCredit: Facebook - Mike Rolls

He said: "There were times in hospital when I thought I was going to die.

"The doctors gave me about a five per cent chance to live. Miraculously and with the help of some amazing people in the medical industry and also the support and nurturing of my family, I came through it."

Mikedefied the odds to survive - and eight years later volunteered to have his left leg amputated too.

"It took about eight years to make a really tough decision. I actually elected to amputate my remaining leg, my left leg," he said

"It was dead weight I was carrying around with me. It was detracting from my happiness.

Askeen teenage golfer, Mikes love of the sport would help him get back on his feet, even though both of themwere now artificial.

Gutsy Mike now has a handicap of 5, better than when he strode the courses on two legs, andhe has representedAustralia at the World Disabled Golf Championship.

And ahead of theWorld Cup of Golf at Kingston Heath Golf Club in his hometown of Melbourne, he played a round in a Pro-Am tournament with US Ryder Cup star and world No12 Rickie Fowler.

Mike Rolls' lower legs were amputated when he contracted meningococcal septicaemiaCredit: Instagram

Credit: PA:Press Association

Rolls played alongside US star golfer Rickie Fowler ahead of the World Cup of Golf in Melbourne, Australia

"Ive been back to a better level of golf than when I had feet," he said.

Rolls is nowa motivational speaker who inspires young people to make the most what they have.

Rolls said: "I defied all odds and survived. I have two bionic legs and use my experience as a motivational speaker to inspire people going through adolescence who are making life-changing decisions.

"Its been a challenge but anything you want to get out of life is given to you easily. The most rewarding, the most empowering things I have been able to do have always come as a huge challenge.

"One thing I cant stand is pity. I dont want any pity because I have a really happy life."