May 13, 2023 – Brendan Lawlor edged out Kipp Popert in a close contest for an historic win at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn (England). The two leading players in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) could hardly be separated in an engrossing final round, before world Nº2 Lawlor claimed victory over the renowned Duchess Course.

Team TaylorMade Irishman, 26, held strong during the final round of the G4D Open to claim a two-shot victory, with rounds of 70-74-75, and with this win, will return to the top of the World Rankings.

The championship, held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA (formerly the European Disabled Golf Association), was one of the most inclusive ever staged, featuring nine sport classes across multiple impairment groups, with players represented from 17 countries.

Lawlor, who has played in a number of DP World Tour events, has a rare condition called Ellis–van Creveld syndrome, characterised by a shorter stature and shorter limbs.

“It’s just an unbelievable feeling. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’ve put so much hard work into my game the last few months and it’s been trending really well. I just couldn’t get it over the line last year, so it’s been a while since I’ve been in the winner’s circle. I’m proud of myself just to get it done, really happy. I didn’t hit it well all day but I made a lot of clutch putts on the front nine.

“Niall (Horan) has supported me from day one. I’ve been with the guys for four years at Modest Golf! For a disability golfer, they never treat me differently than anyone else. I’m proud to be a part of that team and hopefully we can get more wins.

“It’s been an incredible week. The volunteers, The R&A, DP World Tour, EDGA, everybody involved has put in so much work to get this championship done. Every player here, we felt like royalty this week. Hopefully this is the start and we’re going to have many more of these major events. Disability golf is definitely on the way up,” said Brendan Lawlor.

Brendan, who started the week as World Nº2, got his final round underway with three straight bogeys but didn’t get phased and played the last 15 holes in level par to claim a two-shot victory.

The tournament was played over the Duchess course at Woburn, famous for being incredibly narrow. Many of the world’s most talented golfers with disabilities competed in the event, including eight of the top-10 golfers in the world, and Brendan has proceeded to write his name into the history books, becoming the first-ever G4D Open Champion.

Lawlor has been a driving force in bringing disability golf into the mainstream and has already had two starts on the DP World Tour showcasing disability golf to a wider audience.

Brendan made his second start in a DP World Tour event earlier this year when he teed it up at the ISPS Handa Championship in Japan last month, won by fellow Team TaylorMade Athlete Lucas Herbert. He was quick to put the new Stealth 2 range of woods in the bag during pre-season testing, and uses a combo set of P·770 and P·7MC irons

What’s in the golf bag of Brendan Lawlor?

• Driver: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (9,0º)
• Fairway woods: TaylorMade Stealth 2 3 & 5 (15,0º and 18,0º)
• Irons: TaylorMade P770 (4-6); Taylormade P7MC (7-PW)
• Wedges: TaylorMade MG3 (50º, 54º, 58º)
• Putter: TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast
• Golf ball: TaylorMade TP5