Australian golfer Steven Alderson is celebrating his recent victory at a G4D Tour event by calling out the bullies he has faced over the years who doubted him.
On Oct. 15, Alderson made history as the first player with autism to win a G4D Tour event, which took place in Sotogrande, Spain, according to the organization’s website. The 44-year-old, who also goes by “Spud,” has been on a recent winning streak, as he won the South Australian All Abilities Championship in September as well.
After his latest first-place finish, Alderson spoke on the Australian Nine network show “Today” about his tough journey and being bullied.
“Just growing up as a kid and being bullied all the time at school and even bullied at other golf clubs, it just means the world (to win),” he said in footage from a press conference that played before the interview began.
He thanked his parents during the press conference and said he was feeling “on top of the world” and “just amazing.”
While chatting with the Australian network’s co-anchors, Alderson sat next to his caddie, Trent Blucher, and his G4D trophy was placed in between them.
“I’m feeling really excited. I’ve stopped drinking for the interview,” Alderson joked. “We actually get on a plane in five or six hours, so we probably won’t go to sleep.”
He then further commented on the cruelty he has faced and what he hopes his bullies take away from his triumph.
“It makes me happy to show those people who bullied me, they probably see me now on TV and think well, I’ve just stuck one right up them,” the Adelaide-area native said.
Blucher chimed in and said he has known Alderson for about 20 years and that he is always on the golf course.
“The G4D tour came along and ‘Spud’ called me about six weeks ago and said, ‘I’ve got a chance to come to Spain, could you come along?’ and I said, yep, let’s do it,” Blucher recalled.
He gushed about his friend, adding, “I’m really proud of him. 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.”
Alderson returned the compliments by crediting his caddie for helping to keep him relaxed.
“Without him this trophy wouldn’t be sitting next to us. (He’s) a wonderful, wonderful man,” the golfer said. “He’s taken time out of his own job to come over here, with hardly any money, and help me all the way.”
In a press conference shortly after his victory, Alderson spoke to reporters while holding back tears. 10 News First Australia posted a clip from the press conference on TikTok in which Alderson praised Blucher.
“Trent was really, really good because years ago I just would’ve blown up and just probably broke a club or thrown my bag or something like that. So it was really good to stay in the moment and keep positive and just try to get it out the bunker and just try not to rack up an eight or nine on that hole,” an emotional Alderson said.
He also said he appreciated being able to represent so many people on the golf course.
“Getting the opportunity to play out of the country, but representing not Australia, but representing people back home, is just awesome,” he concluded.
In the caption, the Australian outlet sweetly wrote, “We love you, Steve.”
According to the G4D Tour website, Alderson will next compete at the G4D Tour’s final stop for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
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