The world’s number one ranked disabled golfer Kipp Popert has made his debut appearance on the DP World Tour by teeing up at the Austrian Alpine Open.
The 27-year-old Englishman, who has cerebral palsy, had competed regularly on the G4D Tour and has claimed 15 titles since the circuit was launched by the DP World Tour and EDGA in 2022.
His most recent appearance came at the G4D Open at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales. However, in April, it was announced that the tour would be postponed for the foreseeable future.
Speaking to the BBC in May reacting to the news, Popert 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.”
The DP World Tour said in a statement: “We are focusing on organising two major events that will provide the biggest platform for golfers with a disability. These are the annual G4D Open, run in partnership with the R&A, 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. G4D is now entering a new chapter with a wider range of stakeholders creating events.
“We will continue discussions with EDGA [European Disabled Golf Association], the IGF [International Golf Federation] and the R&A 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.”
Popert joined a field including the likes of four-time PGA TOUR winner Sepp Staka and ended his first round at the Kitzbühel-Schwarzsee-Reith course in Tyrol with a 5-over 75.