Lawlor and Gray second as Popert and Gilks win inaugural G4D Tour Nations Cup
Heather Gilks and Kipp Popert. Picture: Getty Images
Kipp Popert and Heather Gilks secured a four-shot win to take the G4D Tour Nations Cup @ Betfred British Masters for Team England at The Belfry.
The pair started their second round two shots off the lead but navigated tough conditions to post a seven-over round of 79 to get to six over par, ahead of Irish duo Brendan Lawlor and Fiona Gray in second place on ten over.
Team Ireland were in pole position, but double bogeys on the sixth, ninth, tenth and 14th seemed to put paid to any chances of Lawlor and Gray securing the title.
After a six over front nine, a steady back nine, which included birdies on the 15th and 17th, was enough to secure the inaugural G4D Tour Nations Cup for Popert and Gilks.
“It feels amazing,” said Gilks. “It has been so special playing with Kipp. I think it was a really good showcase and a range of golf talent and it (golf for the disabled) is definitely taking steps in the right direction.”
Popert, who has now won 11 titles on the G4D Tour, said: “I have had a few victories, and I think today is bigger than just myself playing and I am so chuffed for Heather to experience winning, it is good fun.
“I said to Heather that in foursomes golf you do not really know what is going to happen, we were very happy that all the way round, we enjoyed it, and I think that it led to the good back nine.
“We were bigging ourselves up the whole time and enjoying it and honestly that is probably the most fun I have had playing.”
The G4D Nations Cup victory is Popert’s third of an impressive 2024 season, adding to his triumphs at the ISPS HANDA Australian All Abilities Championship and the G4D Open.
He will have a chance to carry on that form when the players battle it out in the G4D Tour @ BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, which takes place from September 16-17, 2024.
