Sheringham golfer Paul Innocent added a fresh chapter to his remarkable story with victory in the ISPS Handa U.S Blind Open in Georgia.

Less than three years ago Innocent was diagnosed with Leber’s Heriditary Optic Neuropathy, an incurable disease that has left him blind in his right eye and with only 30 per cent vision in his left.

The 43-year-old Stiffkey resident responded to adversity by pursuing his decades-long golf passion and last summer in Scotland triumphed in the B2 category of the ISPS British Blind Open.

Now he has scaled fresh heights by landing the spoils for the lowest gross score at the United Blind States Blind Golf Association’s flagship event.

After two days’ competition alongside guide, caddie and coach Rob Linge, Innocent emerged victorious by a single stroke at Green Island Country Club in Columbus. He also finished top of the pile in the B2 category, seven shots clear.

Speaking on his return to north Norfolk, Innocent said: “What an experience. I don’t think it’s settled in – it’s just a bit surreal at the minute.

“Sitting with my wife Kelly eighteen months ago, she found England and Wales Blind Golf. I said to her, ‘Can you imagine if I get to play in the British Open? And what even if we get to go and play in the US Open?’

“Eighteen months down the line, I’ve played in both and won them both, it’s incredible.

“Golf was going to be my teddy bear to cling to and get out and be able to express myself, still do something I love. I never thought it’d take off like this.”

With Innocent for every step of the way in America was fellow Sheringham golfer Linge, who himself has lost an arm.

Innocent, who played from a 15.9 handicap in Georgia, said: “Rob loved it. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I couldn’t have done it without him and I truly mean that – it was a team effort.

“I didn’t get nervous one bit – that helped. Even in club competitions you get first-tee jitters but I smashed a 3-wood 273 yards straight up the middle of the fairway on the first hole.”

That set the tone for a brilliant opening round after which Innocent signed for a 79. Windier conditions and temperatures soaring into the mid-30s Celsius provided a stiffer test on the second day as he shot an 88.

The Norfolk-based golfer assessed: “I’d have taken two 88s, going out there. But I had a great round on day one.”

Innocent has been inundated with congratulatory messages but is already targeting more success.

In the first week in May he heads to Andalusia to compete in the Spanish Blind Golf Open at Isla Canela.