The world number 3 ranked disability golfer, Brendan Lawlor was in flushing form over the weekend as he fired a second round three-under par 69 to race to the German Open title by three strokes.
One behind going into the final day, the one-handicapper, who was born with Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome, a bone growth disorder that leads to shorter limbs, birdied 15, 16 and 18 in a stunning finish that blew the opposition away at the tricky Baden Hills Golf Club.
“I got up on Sunday morning and I just felt good,” said Lawlor. “I was hitting it well on the range but the second I went onto the course; I think I missed two fairways and I hit every green. It was pretty amazing for a man who normally relies on his short game! I was hitting the ball really well.
“I was very consistent. I birdied 15, 16 and 18 – three-under the last day. It all really clicked into gear. The course was tricky so I was delighted with the score.”
The victory should see Lawlor jump to second spot on the Disabled Golf Rankings, however, with world number one, George Groves winning the English Disabled Open, also staged over the weekend, the 22-year old Dundalk man believes his wait to be top dog will go on a little longer.
“The event clashed with the English Disabled Open so I decided to go to Germany because more of the top-10 were playing there,” said Lawlor. “The world number one was playing in England because he’s from England. He won over there but he was seven-over for two rounds, whereas I was level par.
“The fact that I outscored him might work in my favour and I might get a few extra ranking points. Hopefully I’ll go to 2 anyway. I don’t think I’ll take top spot but with a good result in Dubai at the EDGA event there in November, hopefully I’ll get to number one.”
In the meantime, Lawlor will join a stellar field on Sunday for the Dundalk Scratch Cup as he brushes shoulders with Ireland’s three Walker Cup team members from Hoylake.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Lawlor. “It’s a really good field. All the Walker Cup guys will be there. The course is in great condition so hopefully a few people come out to watch it.
“It was nice to get a win under the belt before something like this. It gives you confidence. A bit of local knowledge is no harm either but there’s a lot of good Dundalk members so anyone can win it.
“I know you have your Caolan Rafferty’s, James Sugrue’s and Conor Purcell’s but there’s a lot of Senior Cup players from Dundalk capable of shooting low scores around there too so it’s going to be really interesting.”
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