The R&AThe R&AMay 18, 2025Woburn Golf ClubThe G4D Open, Brendan LawlorComment

Brendan Lawlor wins G4D Open for second time

The R&AThe R&AMay 18, 2025Woburn Golf ClubThe G4D Open, Brendan LawlorComment

Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor and Daphne van Houten from The Netherlands claimed second G4D Open titles at Woburn. Picture: The R&A

Brendan Lawlor and Daphne van Houten secured G4D Open victories for a second time after both eased to memorable successes at Woburn.

Irishman Lawlor, who won the inaugural staging of the Championship in 2023, again lifted the men’s trophy after a one-over-par final round of 73 for a 54-hole total of three-over 219 and a four-stroke win over Lachlan Wood from Australia.

“It feels unbelievable,” Lawlor said. “I played extremely solid all week. My game is in fantastic shape. It's such a tight course. You can't go in trouble and I stayed out of trouble a lot over the three days.

“I’m quite proud of my performance today. I was very, very solid and I know Lachlan went on a really good run on the front nine to put a bit of pressure on.

“So I stuck to my guns and kept hitting greens and fairways to make pars. I had a wee slip-up on the 17th, a hole which hasn't been good to me in the past. But I had a nice buffer and I'm absolutely chuffed.

"It's an unreal championship and I just want to thank Woburn and all the organisers. It's a credit to everyone involved to make this event so special."

Men’s winner Brendan Lawlor tees off on the final day of The G4D Open at Woburn. Picture: The R&A

Van Houten enjoyed her own piece of G4D Open history as the Netherlands player defended the women’s title she won 12 months ago, thanks to an 11-stroke victory over Germany’s Jennifer Sräga after posting a 250 total.

In glorious conditions over the Duchess Course, Lawlor shone from the start of the final round while his closest rivals faltered. The 28-year-old, who has a rare condition called Ellis–van Creveld syndrome, made two birdies in his opening six holes.

Playing partners Thomas Colombel, the left-hander from France, and Danish teenager Frederik Brokfelt-Christiansen both dropped early shots, with Colombel’s hopes ultimately ended when he carded a triple bogey eight at the 4th after losing a ball off the tee.

Carton House’s Lawlor, who sits third on the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD), produced a composed display with a run of seven straight pars from the 7th and even a double bogey at the 17th failed to take the shine off his success.

Wood, 34, was the player who applied the most pressure to Lawlor. After multiple surgeries on his left leg, Wood impressively made four birdies on the front nine. A double bogey at the par-5 15th proved costly, but Wood held onto the runner-up spot with a closing 71 for seven-over 223 as he built on his tie for fourth place last year. Thomas Blizzard from England and Spain’s Juan Postigo Arce shared third on eight-over 224.

Van Houten – the leading woman at 27th on the WR4GD – enjoyed a comfortable victory to add to her numerous wins on the EDGA Tour.

Born with scoliosis and since faced with other health battles, van Houten, 26, closed with a seven-over 79 which featured birdies at the 10th and 13th. Sräga, 25, was born with Achondroplasia, commonly called short stature, and enjoyed a strong Championship debut having competed for Germany in the European Team Championship last year. England’s Aimi Bullock finished in third place in the women’s event.

Established in 2023, the Championship – held in partnership between The R&A and the DP World Tour and supported by EDGA (formally the European Disabled Golf Association) – is one of the most inclusive ever staged. The G4D Open featured nine sport classes across multiple impairment groups, with 80 men and women players of both amateur and professional status, aged 18-79, representing 20 countries.

A gross prize was also awarded in each sport class, covering various categories in Standing, Intellectual, Visual and Sitting.

The men’s gross prize winners were as follows: