Brendan Lawlor reveals ‘nasty’ online abuse

Brendan Lawlor has revealed that he has been the victim of “nasty” abuse following his participation in the ISPS Handa Championship last month.

The 26-year-old has a rare condition called Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, a bone growth disorder that results in shorter limbs and stature.

Lawlor made history in 2020 when he became the first golfer with a disability to play on the DP World Tour. He was granted a sponsor’s invite into the ISPS Handa tournament in Japan last month but missed the cut after rounds 81 and 77.

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In a post on social media, the Irishman revealed that he was targeted by trolls after his appearance in Omitama.

“I got a beautiful start in Japan, had a fabulous week, and the DP World Tour shared a video which went viral,” said Lawlor.

“It got some amazing feedback, real positive, but unfortunately it got some real negative.

“I just wanted to get on and highlight how bad the negative was and, if you weren’t in the frame of mind to take this negativity, of what it could do to people.

“I’m lucky enough where my condition has never affected me. I’ve grown up all my life with negative comments and I blew them off with the breeze, but I wanted to hop on and highlight these comments for other people.”

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He added: “Disability people are putting themselves out there now on a platform, DP World Tour are sharing videos, and I don’t want these guys to get slandered online with nasty comments.

“It’s going to happen anyway, but we’ve broken down so many barriers in the world of golf and I feel this was the opportunity for me to highlight this barrier and maybe overcome this one as well.

“I’m all for equality of opportunity and that’s what we’re showcasing on the DP World Tour. I hope we can go further and comments like this don’t affect our players and people in general.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor