Kipp Popert, the world’s best disabled golfer, made his first appearance on the DP World Tour, playing at the Austrian Alpine Open after the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour was placed on hold.
The Englishman, who has cerebral palsy, is a 15-time winner on the G4D Tour, including last year’s G4D Tour Series Final at Club de Golf Alcanada in Mallorca.
Popert’s Rise to the DP World Tour
Popert has achieved milestones during his golfing career, including being the first player to qualify for the R&A’s Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2022.
He rose to No 1 in the World Ranking for Golfers with Disability after winning four G4D events in 2025.
This week, Popert joined players in Kitzbuhel, including Sepp Straka, James Morrison, and Brandon Robinson-Thompson. Yanhan Zhou of China set the early pace with an eight-under 62 in the first round.
First Round at the Austrian Alpine Open
On a warm day in the Austrian Alps, Popert went three-over-par through his opening nine holes. He coupled two birdies with two bogeys, before making a double-bogey, birdie and a bogey to end his first round with a five-over-par 75.
Popert impressed with his putter, draining a long-range right-to-left swinging putt on the par-four 12th hole for a birdie, before rolling another in from a similar distance on the 16th.
G4D Tour Postponement and Future Plans
Popert’s last appearance on the G4D Tour was in May at the G4D Open at Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, where he finished tied for seventh as South Korean Simon Seungmin Lee claimed victory.
In April, it was announced that the G4D Tour was set to be postponed for the foreseeable future.
The DP World Tour announced it will continue to host the annual G4D Open and a G4D Ryder Cup match between Team Europe and Team USA later this year.
Popert told the BBC in May: “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 it would continue to hold discussions with the European Disabled Golf Association, the R&A and the International Golf Federation on a new schedule for the G4D Tour.
The DP World Tour added that they are focusing on organising two major events that will provide the biggest platform for golfers with a disability.