He said he had “reasonable hopes” at doing well in the US after being heartened by his performance at Cardrona in the Scottish Borders.
Despite only playing blind golf for six months, Innocent finished as a runner-up in the whole tournament, after scooping a category title.
The golfer, who is registered blind having lost his entire vision in one eye and 70% in the other, said he uses his guide to put a coloured stick where the ball is for him to aim at.
Innocent was diagnosed with the rare mitochondrial disease Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy in 2023 and described how golf had provided him with a sanctuary.
“I had perfect vision, and never wore glasses or anything, and then I ended up contracting a disease in my nervous system,” he said.
“Within the next year or two, I could have a high possibility of being completely blind.
“It was difficult because I was at a practical job. I was a self-employed electrician and basically within a space of three days I’d had to stop work, I was registered blind and I had my driving licence taken off me and I didn’t know where to turn.”
