U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN

July 9, 2025

Kipp Poppert

Woodmont Country Club (South Course)

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: All right, here with Kipp Popert, 2025 U.S. Adaptive Open champion in the men's division. One of four men to win three straight USGA championships. That's a three-peat. What does that mean to you to be among such great names?

KIPP POPERT: It's definitely been on my mind. It's probably been on my mind since last year. When I had surgery this year my foot really wasn't getting better at all. I wasn't looking forward to the thought of not being able to try.

To come here and play the way I did, yeah, I've never shot 11-under, and I'm just extremely pleased with myself. Really pleased with the work Ben and I do. I can't thank Ben enough. He's been on the bag for all three, so he's won three as well.

Q. You visited the USGA museum last week; saw some special names on the wall. Tiger's name is one of them. You said you wanted to be like Tiger; is that true? Do you think you're in the same breath now?

KIPP POPERT: Absolutely not. I just remember seeing the U.S. Adaptive Open 2023, 2024 and thinking, right, I could see it. I was like, right, 2025. So Tiger is in a league of his own.

I'm nowhere near that. I just want to keep trying to grow the sport as much as possible. If I ended my career and there was opportunities for disabled players and there was kids aspiring to be professional golfers I would be extremely happy.

Q. You were broadcast live two hours today on Golf Channel. How cool do you think that was? And to your point, do you think you were inspiring others with your play?

KIPP POPERT: I hope so. I'm sure all the players were. I just hope I didn't say anything wrong on camera. I wouldn't bet against it.

Yeah, Brendan and I had a great time. Yeah, it was just really good fun. I'm so thankful to Deloitte for creating this opportunity.

Q. When you look back on this week, what will you remember besides maybe your stellar play? Is there something that is going to stand out?

KIPP POPERT: How sore my foot was at the start of the week and I didn't worry. I just sort of was accepting of it. Just thought if I don't get to try it, I'll hopefully get another chance.

Extremely grateful for my dad. Many of you know, he's a doctor. He's come out the last couple U.S. Opens. Obviously my foot was sore and it really helped, you know, double dosing and doing everything we could to keep the foot going.

Again, grateful to Ben and, yeah, I just hope that this spurs on the sport even more and we're back here next year with even more opportunities.

Q. Kipp, obviously you won it three times now. First time winning at Woodmont. How do you find the course? How was the experience coming out here to Rockville and playing?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, the course is immaculate. It is by far the most inclusive or accessible is a better word golf course I've ever played. A lot of the players couldn't thank the greens staff and the designers enough.

You could drive. My foot has been so sore I could drive the buggy nearly up to the green. They didn't leave any stone unturned. You could drive onto the tee boxes nearly. I know a lot of people watching at home were probably like, what's going on?

Yeah, we are all really appreciative of the golf course. Rough was thick, so luckily I didn't find it too many times. I obviously like the golf course, so...

Q. Obviously you're coming back here next year like you touched on. There were some expansions this year. You got your travel subsidized, which I'm sure is huge for you coming internationally. What kind of growth do you hope you can continue to seeing going forward here at Woodmont?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, when the news of Deloitte came in that they were covering players' expenses, I was really emotional because I know -- a lot of these guys are my friends. I'm extremely fortunate to have three amazing sponsors, but so many players don't and they really deserve the opportunity to be able to play.

One of my closest friends, Curtis Barkley, he didn't play this week because he couldn't afford to play. To know that that hopefully won't be a problem anymore for players, to know that every disabled person that enters the event is ability to play without financial restriction is incredible. I am extremely grateful to Deloitte, and hopefully we can keep growing and having more opportunities.

Q. You've been the dominant force in the adaptive golf scene the last couple years. When you're on the course sometimes and you're watching other guys with different disabilities or impairments than you, do you find yourself drawing inspiration from people even if you are beating up on everybody a little bit?

KIPP POPERT: That's an extremely good question because I definitely do. Brad Smith, he will be up there. He has been playing incredibly. Rankings haven't been on his side.

But a lot of players have been through hardships and we all know what that's like. Everyone is slightly different, but Brendan, the way he plays, he's going to win this I'm sure.

I will be so excited when he does.

THE MODERATOR: Congrats, Kipp. Three-peat. Good job.

KIPP POPERT: Thanks, mate, appreciate it.