How a 44-year-old Aussie who was bullied over his mental health got revenge by setting a sporting world record

Life hasn’t been easy for Aussie golfer Steven Alderson – but he silenced his bullies after winning the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande event in Spain by nine shots on Tuesday.

In doing so, Alderson, 44, became the first autistic winner in the history of the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) tour.

Speaking on Channel Nine’s Today program on Wednesday, Alderson had a message for those who previously made his life a living hell – look at me now.

‘Just growing up as a kid and being bullied all the time at school… and even bullied at other golf clubs, it [win] just means the world,’ he said.

‘It makes me happy to show those people, they probably see me now on TV and think well, I’ve just stuck one right up them.’

Following his epic win in Spain, Alderson stated he was ‘on top of the world’ and it was an ‘awesome opportunity’ to represent his nation abroad.

Alderson’s emphatic triumph was no fluke – he also won the 2020 South Australian Mid Amateur Men’s Championship and last year snared the Players Series tournament in his home state.

He will have his passport stamped again when he tees off in the G4D Tour Series Finale @ DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next month following his exploits in Spain.

In doing so, Alderson, 44, became the first autistic winner in the history of the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour 

Trent Blucher is Alderson’s long time caddy – and he was full of praise for the man affectionately known as ‘Spud.’

‘I met him probably 20 years ago and he told me all he does is live on the golf course,’ he said.

‘The G4D tour came along and Spud called me about six weeks ago.

‘He said, “I’ve got a chance to come to Spain, could you come along?”, and I was free, so it was, yep, let’s do it.

‘[In Spain] he stayed present, he stayed calm, and in times past he would have got angry or down on himself, but he didn’t do that [today]. 

‘I’m really proud of him.’

After Dubai, Alderson – who plays off a handicap of 1.4 – will take part in the all-abilities field at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

He and Blucher later confirmed they will also reach out to Aussie golf legend Greg Norman, with the intention of being invited to play in the LIV Adelaide pro-am event in 2025.