Top disability golfer Brendan Lawlor will make his second DP World Tour start this week and is relishing the opportunity to showcase his talents to a wider audience.
Dundalk man Lawlor, who was born with rare bone disorder Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome, which is characterised by a shorter stature and limbs, played in the ISPS Handa Championship at The Belfry in 2020 and will tee up at this week’s similarly-named tournament in Ishioka, the first regular DP World Tour event in Japan.
“When I got the call three weeks ago, it was such a buzz,” said Lawlor.
“We get great opportunities on the DP World Tour with the G4D Tour, but this is something special.
“Just seeing how good your game is against the top boys in the world, and seeing how you can do playing from the back tees and playing the golf course at its hardest. I’m really looking forward to it.
“I got a start in the DP World Tour at the Belfry, which played quite long and I got a practice round here this week and it’s been playing really good.
“Yes, I’m hitting a lot of six irons and five irons in but it’s a part of my game where I’m pretty strong and my short game’s pretty strong as well.
“I reckon if I can go out and make a few early pars and shoot a decent score the first day you never know what could happen.”
Lawlor says his goal for the week isn’t just to make up the numbers – it’s making the cut.
“Big time – if you didn’t have that ambition there’s no point being here,” he said.
“I really want to go out and prove to myself how well I can play [but] not put pressure on myself because being here is an honour already.
“If I can go out and put myself in a position on Friday to go out and make the cut I think it would be a big, big week.”
Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojgaard admits his recent injury lay-off was made harder by the success enjoyed by twin brother Nicolai.
Rasmus has been limited to two appearances on the DP World Tour so far this year due to a shoulder injury, a problem which saw him replaced by Nicolai in the Continental Europe side which won the inaugural Hero Cup.
And the three-time DP World Tour winner is now eager to get back to playing regularly after watching his brother performing well on both sides of the Atlantic.
Since recording three top 10s in his first seven DP World Tour events of the season, Nicolai finished second to England’s Matt Wallace at the Corales Puntacana Championship before earning his special temporary membership of the PGA Tour at the Valero Texas Open.
“The first couple of weeks [at home] were pretty boring and then I got into a habit of the rehab and training,” Rasmus said ahead of his return to action in Japan.
“It didn’t help that Nicolai was out playing so well. He wants me to come back and play again now. I’m very happy for him to be playing very good golf. It’s motivating to see him do well.
“I can’t have the highest expectations at the moment, I’m just happy to be back and playing again. It might take me a couple of weeks to find my game, but I’m not worried about it.”
