Brendan Lawlor is the world No.1 golfer with a disability | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Sports
Football
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
US Sports
Olympics
More
Football Tennis Golf Motorsport US Sports Olympics
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Football
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
US Sports
Olympics

Follow CNN
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Golf
Ad Feedback

Brendan Lawlor is the world No.1 golfer with a disability

By Jack Bantock, CNN
Updated 4:00 AM EDT, Thu May 12, 2022
Link Copied!
Now ranked the world's top golfer with a disability, Brendan Lawlor was a rising amateur golfer when he competed at a pro-am event prior to the Irish Open in July 2019. Less than three months later, the Irishman turned professional and signed with former One Direction star Niall Horan's Modest! Golf Management company.
Now ranked the world's top golfer with a disability, Brendan Lawlor was a rising amateur golfer when he competed at a pro-am event prior to the Irish Open in July 2019. Less than three months later, the Irishman turned professional and signed with former One Direction star Niall Horan's Modest! Golf Management company.
Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images
Later in July, Lawlor triumphed at the European Disabled Golf Association's (EDGA) maiden Scottish Open.
Later in July, Lawlor triumphed at the European Disabled Golf Association's (EDGA) maiden Scottish Open.
Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
Born with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by short limb dwarfism, Lawlor has no knuckles on the top of his fingers. The EDGA Scottish Open was the first of two disability events scheduled on the European Tour for 2019. Here, Lawlor poses with fellow winner Bernd Wiesberger.
Born with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, a genetic condition characterized by short limb dwarfism, Lawlor has no knuckles on the top of his fingers. The EDGA Scottish Open was the first of two disability events scheduled on the European Tour for 2019. Here, Lawlor poses with fellow winner Bernd Wiesberger.
Andrew Redington / Getty Images
The second event came at the EDGA Dubai Finale in November 2019, with Lawlor finishing fifth as Englishman George Groves won the inaugural event.
The second event came at the EDGA Dubai Finale in November 2019, with Lawlor finishing fifth as Englishman George Groves won the inaugural event.
Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images
In August 2020, Lawlor became the first golfer with disabilities to compete in a European Tour event, taking part in the ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry in England.
In August 2020, Lawlor became the first golfer with disabilities to compete in a European Tour event, taking part in the ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry in England.
Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images
Not long after his history-making outing at the Belfry, the Covid-19 pandemic paused Lawlor's pro career as events were canceled. Back on the green at the EDGA Cazoo Open in July 2021, Lawlor sunk his putt on the 18th to take victory.
Not long after his history-making outing at the Belfry, the Covid-19 pandemic paused Lawlor's pro career as events were canceled. Back on the green at the EDGA Cazoo Open in July 2021, Lawlor sunk his putt on the 18th to take victory.
Warren Little / Getty Images
At Galgorm, Northern Ireland, in August 2021, Lawlor poses with the EDGA World Disability Invitational trophy, a win that moved Horan (center left) to tears. An advocate for disability golf, the former One Direction star is now a close friend of Lawlor's.
At Galgorm, Northern Ireland, in August 2021, Lawlor poses with the EDGA World Disability Invitational trophy, a win that moved Horan (center left) to tears. An advocate for disability golf, the former One Direction star is now a close friend of Lawlor's.
Charles McQuillan / Getty Images
Lawlor and two-time major winner Collin Morikawa celebrate their DP Tour World Championship victories in Dubai in November 2021.
Lawlor and two-time major winner Collin Morikawa celebrate their DP Tour World Championship victories in Dubai in November 2021.
Andrew Redington / Getty Images
Lawlor tees off at the inaugural Golf for the Disabled (G4D) Tour, at the British Masters in May 2022, finishing fourth at The Belfry.
Lawlor tees off at the inaugural Golf for the Disabled (G4D) Tour, at the British Masters in May 2022, finishing fourth at The Belfry.
Andrew Redington / Getty Images

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Sports
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts Sitemap

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.