Brendan Lawlor cannot wait to host this weekend’s ISPS HANDA World Disability Invitational fresh off the back of his latest career victory at last week’s EDGA Cazoo Open, which secured the Irishman his place in the EDGA European Tour season finale.
The ISPS HANDA World Disability Invitational presented by Brendan Lawlor begins at Massereene Golf Club on Saturday, when the eight players who took part in last week’s event will tee it up again for the opening round of the 36-hole event in Northern Ireland.
The second day’s play will move to Galgorm Golf Club early Sunday morning, ahead of the final round of the European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour tri-sanctioned ISPS HANDA World Invitational hosted by Modest! Golf Management.
After the ISPA HANDA World Disability Invitational presented by Brendan Lawlor, a new group of golfers taken from the World Rankings for Golfers with Disabilities (WR4GD) will participate in the EDGA Hero Open, at Fairmont St Andrews from August 7-8, and the EDGA Cazoo Classic, at London Golf Club from August 14-15.
The top four players from each group of two tournaments qualify for the returning EDGA Dubai Finale, the fifth and final EDGA European Tour event of 2021, held alongside the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai – the final Rolex Series event of the year – at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Friday and Saturday (November 19-20).
Lawlor, having secured his place in the season finale thanks to his victory last week, is excited to tee it up this week as tournament host in an event supported by his management company Modest! and his sponsor ISPS HANDA, both of whom have been hugely supportive of the Louth man – who has Ellis-Van Creveld syndrome, a disability characterised by a shorter stature and shorter limbs.
“It’s special anytime we can go out there and showcase our talents, on this type of stage with cameras around and crowds around,” said Lawlor. “Especially on home soil, this one is special for me. I’ve a lot of family coming up this week to watch, hopefully I won’t be too nervous on the first tee but I feed off that stuff. They love it and I hope everyone else will love it too.
“The sponsors and Galgorm have done a fabulous job. The competition was here two years ago as a Challenge Tour event, now it’s a European Tour event, women playing for equal prize money to the men, and now disability golfers competing too so it’s just game-changing every year.
“Anyone can win this week, they’re all so good. My first round last week separated me from the guys, one under was a great score. But then Tomasso beat me in the second round so anything can happen, but I’m going to be trying to win again.”
The European Disabled Golf Association (EDGA) initiative is taking place under the umbrella of the European Tour’s Golf For Good initiative – the Tour’s overarching Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
Scoring for the remaining four EDGA tournaments will feature on the European Tour’s website and App for fans to follow, while the tournament world feed broadcast will also feature updates across the weekend, with the winners also part of the main prize-giving ceremonies.
The current rankings, after last week’s EDGA Cazoo Open, are as follows:
Posn Player Points
1 Brendan LAWLOR 24
2 Tomasso PERRINO 18
3 Felix NORRMAN 14
4 Mike BROWNE 10
5 Kenny BONTZ 8
6 Daphne VAN HOUTEN 6
7 Ryan BRENDEN 4
8 Timo KLISCHAN 2
EDGA European Tour Schedule
EDGA Cazoo Open – The Celtic Manor Resort (July 24-25) – Won by Brendan Lawlor
ISPS HANDA World Disability Invitational presented by Brendan Lawlor – Massereene and Galgorm Castle (July 31 – August 1)
EDGA Hero Open – Fairmont St Andrews (August 7-8)
EDGA Cazoo Classic – London Golf Club (August 14-15)
EDGA Dubai Finale – Jumeirah Golf Estates (November 19-20)
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