George leads the way to take the prize in finale
World No. 1 George Groves yesterday held off the challenge of America’s Chad Pfeifer to win the inaugural EDGA Dubai finale.
The 36-hole event featured some of the world’s best Golfers with Disability, and was taking place alongside the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.
It was the second EDGA event taking place in conjunction with a Rolex Series event on the 2019 Race to Dubai, after Groves finished second to Brendan Lawlor at the EDGA Scottish Open, held during the weekend of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
The Englishman has Erb’s Palsy, a condition which leaves him with 20% strength in his left arm after a medical accident during birth, but that has not stopped him from rising to the top of the World Rankings for Golfers with Disability.
An opening 77 handed him a threeshot lead and it looked like he might run away with things when he birdied the first in round two.
Military man Pfeifer took up golf after having his leg blown off in Iraq serving for the US Army’s 3rd Airborne Battalion, and the 2011 US National Amputee Golf Champion applied some pressure as he carded the lowest round of the day with a 79. But Groves went on to sign for an 82 and finish 15-over, three shots clear of Pfeifer.
“It’s fantastic,” said Groves. “I’m going to go home very proud of myself, celebrate with my friends and family. “To come out and win this, be World No. 1, is just incredible.”
American Christopher Biggins finished at 20-over, with Frenchman CharlesHenri Quélin, Irishman Lawlor, Australian Geoff Nicholas and Swede Joakim Bjorkman rounding out the field.