World's top disabled golfer 'hit hard' as tour scrapped

The world's best disabled golfer has said he has been "hit hard" by the cancellation of the tour that he relied on to make a living.

Kipp Popert, from Kent, is aiming to regain his G4D (Golf 4 Disabled) Open title this week, one of two major events remaining after players were told the tour was ending.

Popert, who has cerebral palsy, said: "I took it quite hard to be honest. It's my livelihood, it's how I've earnt my money for the last five years."

A DP World Tour spokesperson said it would continue discussions on a new structure that "builds on the momentum generated by the G4D Tour".

Popert said: "Players at the highest level of any disabled sport should be being paid.

"They're not going to buy Ferraris, but it's going to keep them in the sport, but also provide visibility to children and other people with disabilities."

Last year, Popert won the series, taking place over seven events, in which disabled golfers played alongside major tournaments like the BMW PGA Championship.

He said he was "incredibly grateful" for the opportunities provided by the G4D Tour, in which the cost of players' and caddies' travel was subsidised.

The DP World Tour said it was focusing on two events, organised with other stakeholders – the G4D Open, at Celtic Manor this week, and a new G4D match at the 2027 Ryder Cup.

"We established the G4D Tour to grow participation and are proud of the fact that today, the numbers of golfers with a disability playing our sport competitively has grown significantly," the spokesperson said.

"We will continue discussions on a new structure that builds on the momentum generated by the G4D Tour and one that can ultimately realise the ambition of golf entering the Paralympics."

This week, Popert also staged his own tournament near his home in Sevenoaks, featuring some of the world's top players, each paid £3,000.

The invitational at London Golf Club was five months in the making, he said.

Working with charity partner Variety Golf, he attracted more than £140,000 in sponsorship for players and golf lessons for 20 disabled children.

He added: "You get bad news in life, but you have to just keep going.

"I've won a lot of trophies, but this is way better than that.

"I've dreamt of being world number one my whole life so to be here is a pinch me moment and I'm just trying to be a custodian of it.

"I won't be number one forever, but I want to make sure that whoever is next has a bigger platform than I have."

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