Major disability golf championship tees off

Michelle Lau said she was diagnosed "quite late" and was still learning about her autism, something golf has been her to process

Some of the world's most talented golfers have arrived in Buckinghamshire for the third staging of The G4D Open.

The golfers, who have varying disabilities, compete over the Duchess Course at Woburn in Milton Keynes.

Michelle Lau, who has a world ranking of 93 and plays at Cambridge Country Club, said the sport helped her become "more settled in myself as an autistic individual".

She added while the disabilities "are how we get classed in this tournament... first and foremost it's the golf that matters".

Brad Smith, 30, said he had played golf before his amputation, but not on a professional level

The inclusive championship began in 2023 and features nine sport classes over multiple impairment groups.

About 80 men and women players, both amateur and professional, compete for three days from Thursday to Saturday across 54 holes

Ms Lau started playing golf in 2021 as she had struggled with the "social side" and noise of other team sports.

She said: "Golf really helped because it does build confidence and it is somewhere I feel I can completely be myself.

"I can stim, I can make noises, I can fidget, I can do whatever and most people understand that is how I process the world.

"The other side is it's an outdoor sport. I have a lot of sensory issues and that makes it challenging because of the noise or temperature changes... but it's putting myself out there and just seeing what I can do."

Chris Foster was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer at five and had his leg amputated at nine

Professional golfer Brad Smith, from Norfolk, said he had lost his leg after he was diagnosed with bone cancer about eight years ago.

He said he was amazed at how inclusive the sport could be, adding events like G4D showcased "how good disabled players are" and how they work around limitations.

"The world's best players turn out and play. This is our major championship and brings the best in the world," he said.

"Hopefully it inspires kids even adults thinking of taking up the game."

Kevin Barker, from the R&A, which oversees rules and development of golf, said he wanted more people to see the sport as inclusive and accessible

The director of golf development at the R&A, which helps organise the event, said the life stories of the golfers were "inspirational".

Kevin Barker added the competition provided the opportunity to change perceptions of the sport and show its inclusivity.

Players range in age from 18 to 79 and 20 countries are represented at the competition.

A handicap system is also in place.

Chris Foster, 92nd in the world, said it was "the pinnacle for disability golf, this is basically the open for us."

"We have all been classified based on the disability we have. I'm in standing one as a through hip leg amputee, but it doesn't mean I'm with other amputees

"It's essentially kind of the level that it is when you wear the prosthetic."