Golfer hopes to inspire others through England disability squad

Tony Lloyd was born with shortened limbs

A disabled golfer hopes to "inspire the next generation coming through and give them something to aspire to" after being selected for England's new disability performance squad.

Tony Lloyd, from Shropshire, is one of 12 golfers to be chosen for the programme, which aims to support their development and help them to represent their country.

Mr Lloyd has a condition called Phocomelia, a rare congenital limb malformation, which causes the long bones of the arms or legs to be severely shortened or missing.

He said: "The more people see my condition and understand my condition, I think it can only help."

The squad is part of a wider plan by England Golf to get more people with disabilities into the sport.

Mr Lloyd, who was world number one in his category in 2019, said being told he had been included "capped a great year" and would allow him to improve his skills.

Mr Lloyd is a former world number one in his category

Mr Lloyd plays by securing his golf club under his left arm and generating all the power through his body core.

He said: "I've had my condition all my life, I was born with it, and I think that's the advantage - I've got over a lot of disabled golfers who have been through trauma and have had to start all over again."

Over the course of his career, he had had the chance to play at world-famous courses including the Royal Liverpool, Royal Birkdale and Golf National in France.

He said: "My disability has given me some opportunities I possibly wouldn't have had normally."

The sport has also allowed him to connect with people with similar disabilities.

"It's been good for me, because when I got into golf I didn't know anyone with the same condition as myself," he said.