England Golf Disability Squad star Kipp Popert has won the U.S. Adaptive Open Championship for the fourth consecutive time, after a blistering performance at Woodmont Country Club.
Three-time defending champion Popert fired a final-round 63 for a 54-hole total of 18-under-par (198), six strokes ahead of 2022 champion Simon Lee and nine strokes clear of seated player Max Togisala of Ogden, Utah and Justin Carlock of Eaton, Colorado.
The victory etches Popert’s name even further into the USGA history books, as he becomes the first male player to win the same USGA championship four years in a row. “I’m extremely pleased and extremely proud of all the hard work I put in,” said Popert, who turned 28 years old on the first day of the championship.
“I really want disabled golf and adaptive golf to keep moving forward, and I hope I'm helping do that. I just want more opportunities for kids growing up that we didn't have.
“I’m extremely grateful to the USGA for putting on this championship. If you didn't, I wouldn't have the chance to pursue my dreams, really. To play the way I did today is what dreams are made of.”
Popert, who was born with cerebral palsy and has undergone multiple surgeries on his lower body, said during the trophy presentation on Golf Channel that he was thinking about the magnitude of his four-peat last night and decided that he “really wanted it.” That focus was clear from the early going of the final round.
Popert was paired with his closest pursuer, 31-year-old Carlock, who made an early statement with an eagle on the par-5 3rd hole.
“Yeah, it started off with a couple fireworks,” said Carlock, a PGA assistant professional who was born with a condition that caused his fingers and hands to fuse differently.
“I was almost pin high right and pitched it in from about 35 yards. So that kind of got us jump-started.”
Popert, however, wasn’t going to fall back to the pack. After Carlock’s early eagle, Popert said to himself “Okay, here we go,” and used it as fuel. He answered his opponent’s birdie with the first of three straight birdies, and made the turn in a 6-under 30.
While Carlock, a first-time competitor, added another front-nine birdie, he was unable to mount a substantial charge after that and went on to shoot 3-under 69, good for a tie for 3rd at 9-under (207).
Both Kim Moore (who won the women's event) and Popert were awarded gold medals and receive custody of their respective U.S. Adaptive Open trophies for one year. They also each earn five-year exemptions into the championship.
The 6th U.S. Adaptive Open will be held from July 5-7, 2027, at Sunriver Resort (Meadows Course) in Bend, Oregon.
The victory etches Popert’s name even further into the USGA history books, as he becomes the first male player to win the same USGA championship four years in a row. “I’m extremely pleased and extremely proud of all the hard work I put in,” said Popert, who turned 28 years old on the first day of the championship.
“I really want disabled golf and adaptive golf to keep moving forward, and I hope I'm helping do that. I just want more opportunities for kids growing up that we didn't have.
“I’m extremely grateful to the USGA for putting on this championship. If you didn't, I wouldn't have the chance to pursue my dreams, really. To play the way I did today is what dreams are made of.”
Popert, who was born with cerebral palsy and has undergone multiple surgeries on his lower body, said during the trophy presentation on Golf Channel that he was thinking about the magnitude of his four-peat last night and decided that he “really wanted it.” That focus was clear from the early going of the final round.
Popert was paired with his closest pursuer, 31-year-old Carlock, who made an early statement with an eagle on the par-5 3rd hole.
“Yeah, it started off with a couple fireworks,” said Carlock, a PGA assistant professional who was born with a condition that caused his fingers and hands to fuse differently.
“I was almost pin high right and pitched it in from about 35 yards. So that kind of got us jump-started.”
Popert, however, wasn’t going to fall back to the pack. After Carlock’s early eagle, Popert said to himself “Okay, here we go,” and used it as fuel. He answered his opponent’s birdie with the first of three straight birdies, and made the turn in a 6-under 30.
While Carlock, a first-time competitor, added another front-nine birdie, he was unable to mount a substantial charge after that and went on to shoot 3-under 69, good for a tie for 3rd at 9-under (207).
Both Kim Moore (who won the women's event) and Popert were awarded gold medals and receive custody of their respective U.S. Adaptive Open trophies for one year. They also each earn five-year exemptions into the championship.
The 6th U.S. Adaptive Open will be held from July 5-7, 2027, at Sunriver Resort (Meadows Course) in Bend, Oregon.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org