a third title at the World One-Arm Golf Championships in Scotland next week.

The 47-year-old Talbot has been bothered by spine problems which have required four operations in the last 18 months. But with the problems now out of the way, Talbot said he is confident of capturing his first World One-Arm Championship since 1991.

"For almost five years I've been having pain but all that's taken care of now,'' said Talbot, who departs for Larks, Scotland, tomorrow.

"I had an operation last December which helped me a lot. I haven't been playing as much as I used to but in the last four months I have been working on my game.'' Talbot was crowned world champion at Thorpe Hall Golf Club in Essex, England, in 1988 and three years later at the Country Club in Sligo, Ireland, he repeated the feat. He is determined to end a six-year run without success.

"I have won this tournament twice and I would like to win it a third time,'' said Talbot, who will be accompanied by his caddy, Derrick Smith.

"I feel my chances are as good as anyone elses. I know what it takes to win, it's just a matter of putting it all together.

One of the things Talbot has to contend with is competing with players much younger than himself. Nick Champness of England, who has reached two finals before losing twice to Dave Parsons of the Channel Islands, has only just turned 20.

"I know he's a very good player and he's got youth on his side,'' said Talbot, who was eliminated in the first round last year by Patty Fitzgerald.

"I beat Patty the year before and I'm not taking anything away from him because he's a steady player, but the way I played that day anybody could have beaten me,'' said Talbot, who is now playing off a ten-handicap, compared to seven two years ago.

"Dave Parsons beat me in the semi-finals the year before on the last hole. He doesn't hit the ball as far as us but he's very good around the greens and that's what you need on those courses over there.'' Talbot is a regular fixture at these championships, having competed in England, Ireland and Scotland before. The event is staged by the Society of One-Arm Golfers and has been going on for more than 60 years.

The tournament will begin next Monday with the qualifying round before going into match-play competition featuring the top 16.

"I don't think I'll have any problems qualifying, I always qualify in the top three of four,'' said Talbot.

Once again his trip has been made possible through sponsorship, which veteran golfer Shirley Wildi has helped to co-ordinate over the last five years.

"Last year the tournament was even bigger, with a contingent from South Africa there,'' said Talbot. "There were about 60 to 70 golfers from places like the Middle East, Canada, the United States, Germany and France.'' Talbot's travels also took him to South Africa a couple of years ago where he placed second in their one-arm championship. Champness was the winner of that tournament, beating Talbot by five strokes over the 72-hole event and Talbot remarked then how the youngster had the potential to become a world champion.