In recent years TaylorMade has brought together one of the most impressive touring staffs seen in golf, with Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm (all of whom reached number 1 in the world during his time with the company) and Jason Day, Collin Morikawa, Matthew Wolff and Rickie Fowler (golf ball only). Oh, and let’s not forget reigning Masters champion Tiger Woods either. Now the company has added Brendan Lawlor to its staff to play with his clubs and the ball
Although Lawlor, who is ranked 2,050 in the world (tied for the lowest possible ranking), would seem like an odd choice to join such an elite staff, his story is perhaps more compelling than all those players combined.
Lawlor has a rare condition called Ellis-van Creveld syndrome, which results in a shorter stature and shorter limbs. And while his official world rankings may not inspire, he is the fourth ranked player in the WR4GD, a ranking of golfers with disabilities.
Making an appearance at this week’s ISPS Handa UK Championship at The Belfry on the European Tour (the first golfer with a disability to compete on that tour since Ced Lescut in 2015) and the Northern Ireland Open on the Challenge Tour a week later. more than a symbolic appearance. Lawlor, who turned pro last September after winning the European Disabled Golf Association’s Scottish Open, has a few games as this video reveals.
He also has some firepower in his management team, being part of the stable of Modest Golf, the company founded by music icon Niall Horan. “[The TaylorMade team] they have always advocated inclusivity in golf and by taking on Brendan, they prove it once again, “said Horan.” Brendan is an incredible man and TaylorMade is a great brand. It should be fun. “
The golf industry has long supported people with disabilities in many ways, including sponsorship. Titleist has been a longtime supporter of disabled artist Dennis Walters and Callaway has four members of his staff under his “Adaptive Team”, including Tracy Ramin, who is ranked 27th in the WR4GD. Although Ping does not endorse any player with disabilities, he has a long history of being involved in adaptive adaptations, working closely with many disabled golfers to provide them with the equipment that suits their specific needs, including Maria Tobia, one of the best blind golfers in the world.
For the next two weeks, however, Lawlor will bring the skills of disabled golfers into the golf mainstream. As Lawlor told the Irish Times, “To have the opportunity to represent disabled golfers around the world is a fantastic honor and I hope to have a solid couple of rounds to show that disabled golfers are talented in their own right.”
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