The G4D Tour will break new ground next week when the circuit for golfers with a disability visits the United States for the first time at the G4D Tour @ The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Ten of the world’s best golfers with a disability will tee it up at TPC Craig Ranch from April 29-30, with the two-round tournament taking place before their PGA TOUR counterparts compete on the same layout.
The field of eight men and two women have qualified through the established World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) and will now compete in the fourth event of the 2024 G4D Tour season.
World Number One Kipp Popert will look to secure his tenth G4D Tour title, with seven fellow top ten players on the Gross Ranking division of the WR4GD also competing, as well as Daphne van Houten from the Netherlands and America’s Ryanne Jackson.
Australian Lachlan Wood is looking to continue his impressive start to the 2024 campaign after securing his maiden G4D Tour title at the ISPS HANDA Australian All Abilities Championship, and a runner-up finish at the G4D Tour @ Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa.
“It’s massive, it feels like another major event on the calendar,” he said. “To go up in front of the PGA TOUR, the fans and the people of America, is great for golf. This event will hopefully get more people watching and inspire more people to play. It’s not just about showcasing talent but also about coming together with fellow players to champion inclusion and highlight the beauty of golf for all abilities. Golf is a game for everyone.”
Other former winners on the G4D Tour competing next week include Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor, Spaniard Juan Postigo Arce, Tommaso Perrino of Italy and Englishman Mike Browne. Also joining them is Canadian Kurtis Barkley and American Chris Biggins who will both go in search of a maiden title in Texas.
“I don’t feel like I’m disabled during those moments in sport,” said Biggins. “When I’m walking down the street, you can tell I’m disabled. And so, golf is sort of my backbone, and when I play golf, I feel like everyone else. Golf is that platform for me to be as good as I want to be.”
Van Houten is the leading female player on the WR4GD, while Jackson is the second-highest ranked female and will be making her G4D Tour debut next week.
“Because I can’t turn my hips separately from my shoulders and upper body, I can’t get a lot of swing speed and I lose distance,” said van Houten. “You have to find different ways to generate more speed or be better at other elements in golf like the short game. My short game and putting are quite good as I do need them; I have put in a lot of practice over the years.”