Crossword Genius

Lead driver is golf contest scandal (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

disgrace

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'scandal' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'lead driver is golf contest' is the wordplay.
'lead driver' becomes 'dis' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'is golf' becomes 'g' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'contest' becomes 'race' (race is a kind of contest).
'dis'+'g'+'race'='DISGRACE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for disgrace that I've seen before include "scandal" , "Loss of good reputation" , "Loss of honour" , "Cadger is in state of ignominy" , "State of dishonour" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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