Brendan Lawlor saw off Kipp Popert in a compelling final-day tussle to complete a wire-to-wire victory at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn.
The Irishman, who has a rare condition called Ellis–van Creveld syndrome, characterised by a shorter stature and shorter limbs, carded a closing three over par 75 to finish the 54-hole championship on three over and claim a two-shot victory.
The leading two players in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) lived up to their billing over the Duchess Course all week, with Lawlor recovering from a slow start in the final round to hold his nerve in a tight finish and make history.
World Number One Popert, who began the final day one shot adrift of Lawlor, closed out with a 76 as a bogey on the 18th ended the Englishman's hopes of a sixth G4D Tour title in 2022/23.
For Lawlor, the World Number Two, it marked a return to the winner's circle after three runner-up finishes on the G4D Tour following its launch last year.
"It's been unbelievable," said Lawlor, who turned professional in 2019 and made history by becoming the first golfer with a disability to compete on the DP World Tour in 2020.
"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, and I'm proud of myself just to get it done. Really happy."
A field of 80 male and female players representing 17 countries assembled to compete at Woburn, including eight of the top ten from the WR4GD.
History is made! @BrendanLawlor97 wins the inaugural G4D Open 🏆 pic.twitter.com/0ptQu0iGnP
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) May 12, 2023
Lawlor bogeyed his opening three holes on Friday to lose his slender overnight lead but he birdied the tenth to regain a share of the advantage, before his steadier play down the stretch proved decisive as Popert bogeyed three of his final six holes.
With the duo several shots clear of the rest of the field, the final day's play evolved into a match play scenario.
"I didn't treat it like that," added Lawlor, who earlier this week wrote a Player Blog in which he talked about being an advocate for golf for the disabled and addressing negative comments on social media.
"I just wanted to go out and do my own thing but it did kind of turn into that way. There was one shot that I played the last hole and it was exciting for everyone. It's such a good buzz."
Fellow professional Popert, who was born with a form of Cerebral Palsy called Spastic Diplegia, was delighted to have played his part in the momentous event, held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA.
"It was great fun," he said. "I mean, this is the first-ever Open, and to be in contention, and I played really well.
"So Brendan deserves it, and I couldn't be happier for him."
Juan Postigo of Spain, born without much of his right leg and is ranked fourth in the world, made birdies at the fourth and sixth but finished in solo third after a two over 74 saw him end on eight over.
Connor Stone of Ireland and Italy's Tommaso Perrino finished in a tie for fourth, six shots further back.
Players from eight countries or territories were represented in the top ten places to illustrate the field's international flavour.
Asked to sum up the week, Lawlor added: "It's been incredible. The volunteers, the R&A, DP World, everybody involved has put in Trojan work to get this event done, and I can't imagine how much money it costs, as well.
"For every player here, we felt like royalty this week.
"Hopefully this is the start and we're going to have many more of these."
American Kim Moore – who triumphed in the US Adaptive Open at Pinehurst last year – was the leading female at Woburn, finishing four shots ahead of Ireland’s Fiona Gray.
"The more awareness we have with these championships, the more participation we are going to get," said Moore.
"I have no doubt that it's going to bring more players, more participants, more people into the game – and hopefully more females.”
A gross prize was also awarded in each category with the winners as follows:
- Intellectual 1: Felix Norrman, Sweden
- Intellectual 2: Casper Holst-Christensen, Denmark
- Standing 1: Kipp Popert, England
- Standing 2: Juan Postigo Arce, Spain
- Standing 3: Brendan Lawlor, Ireland
- Sitting 1: Terry Kirby, England
- Sitting 2: Graham Freeman, Belgium
- Visual 1: Stefano Palmieri, Italy
- Visual 2: Joseph McCarron, USA
The men’s and women’s gross winners also receive invitations to play in the G4D Tour at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at The Belfry next month.
The inaugural G4D Open trophy represents the inclusive nature of the championship. This year's winner will engage with a design team on a permanent trophy to reflect the multiple threads woven among the players on their journeys to compete in The G4D Open.
