World's No 1 disabled golfer Kipp Popert: The best need to play for a living. The sport has stopped'

"Popert was shocked to hear from the DP World Tour that its G4D circuit, which staged a handful of tournaments per year for disabled players between 2022 and 2025, has been placed into cold storage. The G4D Open, a tournament for 80 golfers with disabilities, will be staged at Celtic Manor from Thursday. It takes place thousands of miles from Pennsylvania and this week's US PGA Championship, which last year bestowed $3.4m (2.5m) on Scottie Scheffler. Even the main platform for players in this domain does not offer prize money."

"In order for kids to see the future and to have inspiration on the tough days, the best players in the world need to be able to play regularly for a living, Popert says. That's what the DP World Tour set out to achieve and we are all really grateful to them. It is just a shame that the sport at the moment has stopped. Performance sells sport. When you look at male or female ablebodied sports, it is the elite side of it that creates opportunities at grassroots."

"The narrative of inclusivity is amazing but there needs to be an understanding that bringing the best players together is what brings a wow factor and hopefully sponsorship. On the G4D Tour scenario, a spokesperson for the DP World Tour said: 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"

Kipp Popert, a top-ranked disabled golfer, reacts to the DP World Tour placing the G4D circuit into cold storage. The G4D Open will still be held at Celtic Manor for 80 golfers with disabilities, but the broader pathway for regular tournaments has been paused. Popert emphasizes that disabled players need consistent opportunities to earn a living and provide inspiration for young people. He argues that performance drives sport and that elite competition creates a “wow factor” that can lead to grassroots growth and sponsorship. A DP World Tour spokesperson says the focus is on two major events: the annual G4D Open with the R&A and a new G4D match at the 2027 Ryder Cup, with participation having grown significantly.

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