Kipp Popert holds a six-shot lead after the opening round of the Gross event in the G4D Tour Series Finale @ Rolex Grand Final, with Mark Clougherty and Daniel Slabbert tied at the top in the Net edition in Mallorca.
The season-ending event - previously staged in Dubai - features ten of the world’s leading golfers with a disability, with six contesting the Gross competition and four in the Net equivalent.
Popert, the world's top-ranked golfer with a disability, shot a three-under 69 at Club de Golf Alcanada to set the pace in the three-round 54-hole event.
Issa Nlareb, who had both legs below the knee and most of his fingers amputated after suffering sepsis following bacterial meningitis while competing on the Alps Tour in 2018, is second alone on the Gross leaderboard after a 75 that featured three birdies.
“I hit it extremely well, played solidly,” said Popert, who has cerebral palsy and has won 15 titles on the G4D Tour since it was launched in 2022.
“I had a bit of a cold putter at parts but still shot three under, [with] two good up-and-downs at 17 and 18 which I was really proud of. It’s an awesome course. The views are crazy good.”
Daphne van Houten, a two-time winner of the G4D Open, is the only female player in the Gross event and the Dutch player is in a tie for third alongside Australia’s Lachlan Wood.
Military veteran Clougherty, who won his maiden G4D Tour title in France last month, followed an eagle with three consecutive birdies during a brilliant stretch after the turn to card a 76.
That score was matched by Slabbert, a left leg amputee, who mixed 14 pars with four bogeys.
The South African is a fellow winner on the G4D Tour this season after winning at the Betfred British Masters on his debut at The Belfry in August.
“A mixed bag," reflected Clougherty, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and complex Regional Pain Syndrome in his right leg and foot, affecting his nervous system.
"On the front nine, I struggled for the first four or five holes. I started to settle in with my driver, struggled with my irons and then on the back nine found my groove and I was far, far better.”
All ten players competing this week are either winners of G4D Tour events this season or have earned their place in the field through their world ranking.
The winners of the two competitions will earn their place into the field for next year’s G4D Open, which will take place at Celtic Manor in May 2026.
