Simon Seungmin Lee triumphed in challenging conditions in Melbourne’s famed Sandbelt to win the Australian All Abilities Championship on his G4D Tour debut.
The final round of the 2025 G4D Tour opener was played in heavy rain at Kingston Heath Golf Club, but the Korean took advantage of a fast start to finish at four under, securing a comprehensive 14-shot victory over World Number One Kipp Popert and local favourite Wayne Perske.
Lee, who was diagnosed with a form of autism and developmental disability at three years old, took a six-shot lead into the third and final round, and continued in that vein with a birdie-birdie start.
The 2022 US Adaptive Open champion went on to add one more birdie and five bogeys in his round of 74, while his closest challengers faltered.
Englishman Popert – who claimed this title in 2022 – posted an uncharacteristic 10-over 82. The only Australian to make the cut, Perske signed for a 4-over 76 to tie Popert at 10-over and share second place.
“I feel so good. It was a similar feeling (to his win in the US) when the putt went in at the end,” said Lee after his debut Australian All Abilities Championship win.
"I just tried to hold on to grips tightly and then keep thinking in my mind, 'I can do it, I can do it, I can do it'.
"I am very happy and I want thank to my parents, my grandmother and grandfather in Korea, and all my sponsors.”
Of the remaining players to make the 36-hole cut, three-time G4D winner Mike Browne of England was in fourth place at 15 over, with Canadian Kurtis Barkley three shots further back. The Republic of Ireland’s Brendan Lawlor - the 2023 G4D Open champion – was then at 20 over.
