Daniel Slabbert wins first G4D Tour title on debut in play-off at The Belfry

Daniel Slabbert won his first G4D Tour title on his debut as he beat Joshua Exequiel Riccardo in a play-off at the Betfred British Masters.

The South African, a left leg amputee, made a par at the second play-off hole as his Argentine opponent could only manage a bogey to bring the first Net only event of the season to a dramatic climax.

Trailing by two shots with two to play in regulation, Slabbert produced a birdie-birdie finish as overnight leader Exequiel Riccardo went birdie-bogey to force both players to play the 18th again at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Slabbert.

"Especially with the play-off holes, I got a bit nervous out there.

"The tee shots are tight, especially holes where your second shots in are not easy. So I was really nervous.

"So I'm actually glad to be done with. It's an absolutely amazing feeling to get it done."

With his victory, Slabbert secures his spot at the ten-player G4D Tour Series Finale, which will be staged in conjunction with the Rolex Grand Final supported by The R&A.

With both Slabbert and Exequiel Riccardo, who was born with cerebral palsy, level at the turn, the lead changed hands over the opening four holes of the back nine.

Exequiel Riccardo appeared to take the initiative with an eagle at the par five 15th, only for Slabbert to produce his late show of brilliance.

The G4D Tour was making its return after a three-month break in its schedule, with five players making their first starts, including Marjan Gavez, the top-ranked player in the Net rankings.

Gavez of Slovenia finished alongside England’s Bradley Smith, both above-the-knee amputees, in a tie for third, with Mark Clougherty – a former Army veteran who competed at the Invictus Games in 2022 – completing the top ten.

The G4D Tour was launched in 2022 as a partnership between the DP World Tour and EDGA, formally the European Disabled Golf Association. The G4D player pathway aims to cater for everyone with a disability who wants to play golf, and for many, the G4D Tour is seen as the pinnacle of competition with competitors playing on the same course, in the same week, as the leading Tour professionals on the DP World Tour.

Due to the European Tour group’s ongoing financial support, EDGA has been able to raise awareness, confirm eligibility, organise tournaments, and deliver golf development and coach education worldwide.