U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN

July 5, 2026

Kipp Popert

Woodmont Country Club (South Course)

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Here with defending champ Kipp Popert going for a fourth consecutive win this year, and we talked a little bit about you being in the ranks alongside people like Tiger Woods with this honor. What does that mean to you and what's your mindset for this week?

KIPP POPERT: I mean, to go in to have a chance to win four in a row is awesome. I mean, as awesome as it was to go in with a chance to win three in a row, to be mentioned alongside Tiger's name is an absolute honor. I don't think it changes anything from my point of view.

I got to that by focusing on myself and with my journey through golf I've always had to sort of pave my own way and that will continue.

So, yeah, I like winning tournaments. Doesn't matter if it's this one or any other. Yeah, I hope to win as many of these as I can.

Q. You've had another stellar year competing. What has your preparation kind of looked like leading up to this year's championship?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, it's been good. It's been a quieter year because sadly DP World Tour have stopped the G4D Tour, which has been mainly where I was playing. So it's been a bit quieter on the playing side of things.

But, yeah, it's been awesome. I've done a few events. Played on the DP World Tour in the Austrian Open, which was cool.

I went to Munich the other week to get some insoles for my foot to make that a bit more comfy. It's been good and the preparation has been good.

Q. Shot a 3-under par 69 at the DP World Tour event. Talk about what you learned from that experience and tournament.

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, I shot 1-under in the final round. I played really good and I could have -- I felt very comfortable. Like I could do this if the opportunity arises again. The hardest things for disabled athletes is to play regularly, and to make it in able-bodied golf you got to play 25 events a year.

That's the biggest limiting factor. That's why I think a disabled tour is paramount for the growth of this sport, to cater to disabled people. The fact that you can't play 25 events, you can play maybe ten or twelve, stuff like that. I really want to keep pushing and take as many opportunities as I can to play on the DP World Tour or Asian Tour but, yeah, it was an awesome experience.

Me and my caddie, I was there and I was like, I could do this. If the opportunity arises I could make the cut and contend.

Q. Let's chat about Woodmont. You obviously figured out the golf course last year. Do you have any tips and tricks you would like to share or keep some of that to yourself?

KIPP POPERT: I think it's -- you know, you get a lot of short irons, so in the leadup to the event, in the range sessions before, a lot of practice on your wedges. Course is playing a lot different this year. It's definitely firmer into the greens, so the first hop is a lot harder so it's firmer and might be tougher to get it near.

I know there might be some rain coming so if it could come that would be great and soften the greens. But it's also been really hot here, so the greens are quite slow at the moment relative to what I expect them to be tomorrow.

I think it'll be a bit fast are tomorrow. Yeah.

Q. I know you were in Spain for Juan Postigo's wedding before. Talk about some of the friendships you maybe have made through either the U.S. Adaptive Open or from the community.

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, I think I dream of a professional tour for the disabled golfers. I think it's paramount for the growth of sport, a bit like the ladies game. Over the last 30 years you have seen a lot more girls get into golf and become professional ladies that have inspired the next generation.

Sadly many of them wouldn't have careers if after amateur golf when they wanted to turn pro the only avenue was to play against able-bodied men. At the moment with disabled golfers that's the only avenue to play professionally is to play against able-bodied men or women.

So I think envision it like the women's game and hope the growth can continue like that. I think that's so paramount for the community and disabled sports people. We're competitive.

But before this I felt like I was the only disabled golfer in to the world. Before I started this five, six years ago. I am -- it's helped me become a lot more confident and comfortable with my disability and a lot more -- you know when I was a teenager I didn't like the fact I was disabled. I didn't like the fact that my legs moved funny, and it's been eye opening and really saved me a little bit I think.

I just want as many people to experience that as well.

Yeah, was at Juan Postigo's wedding. Brendan Law I'm good friends with. Chris Biggins. Winning trophies is awesome, but the friendships I've gained and the relationships I've built is by far the best thing about this opportunities that have been created.

Q. Looking ahead, potentially in 2032 at the Brisbane Paralympics, they might add adaptive golf to that. What would the opportunity to represent your country and play at that level playing field mean to you?

KIPP POPERT: It would be incredible. You know, I think the Paralympics is awesome and I think I know Christian Hamilton who has been paramount for that from Australia, and I couldn't thank him enough for the work he's put in.

The only thing I would say is I think a bit in the sustainable manner. To be in the Paralympics would be an incredible feat, but I hope it wouldn't be the only goal of disabled golf.

I think having sustainable tournaments, having a tour and sadly the par Olympics is only once ever four years. It's amazing the spotlight that brings that one week but I want to be seeing regular spotlights every year so players get the opportunity, community gets the opportunity to come together more regularly.

So I think it would be a nice icing on the cake, but I would love to see us continue to build a sustainable tour as well.

Q. Just curious, without that tour and with your playing opportunities in tournaments somewhat limited what do you do at home to keep your game sharp and how do you work on your game? Is it with a coach or on your own?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, so Steven Orr is England boys coach. Been amazing for Ben and I, my caddie. He brings a lot more of a diligent look and really keeps us -- I explain it like a bowling alley. I like to be a bit free. I worked extremely hard, but he keeps us on track. He's amazing.

So I work with him.

Then now I'm going to have to start playing a few more able-bodied events, what I can get into. That is an absolute honor and I'm so excited for it but I really do love the friendships and being around my community.

I think that's where it all would be awesome. I made my own event in May. I raised 200 grand and gave each player 3000 pounds. Three disabled schools got three adaptive school busses, so it's possible. There is support out there.

What the USGA are going this week is incredible. It is by far the pinnacle of what we get to do every year. I couldn't thank them enough. Doesn't seem like they're backing down. Just continuing to go this way with it and I'm so grateful to them and their partners for the support.

Q. I remember last year you stayed in the U.S. a little bit to play U.S. Amateur qualifying. Do you plan to do the same schedule this year?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, absolutely. Sadly this year I'm not able to do the U.S. Amateur. I am hoping to do the U.S. Mid-Am. I am going to be doing Asian Tour and DP World Tour Q School at the end the year and starting next year doing a lot more amateur or pro events and U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid Am on this list.

Q. Still have your amateur status?

KIPP POPERT: At the moment. I would love to not, but, yeah. And, yeah, I think this year just with the news of the DP World Tour just G4D Tour shutting down it hit me quite hard and took a bit of time. I wasn't really ready to put in a big schedule this year.

My foot is still a bit sore. Next year I would love to play a lot more fuller year.

Q. Last year, coming into this year versus last year, where do you feel your game is positioned this year? Anything you're doing better this year than you were last year?

KIPP POPERT: I mean, last year I was on crutches the days before the tournament, so I definitely have hit more balls. But my game feels as good. That's the beauty of tournament golf. It doesn't have to be perfect to play well, which is kind of cool.

Like you never really know how you're going to score until you get out there. Especially myself in the heat of competition. There is nothing like it and I actually feel like I often -- I'm a lot more lenient with myself in competition so the shots feel better.

Yeah, the game feels awesome. I'll be doing a lot more wedges and I think the toughest thing will be if the ball is bounce being like it is on the greens. Maybe just be a bit harder to keep it close to the pin. That's what -- my iron play last year was exceptional. So that feels good again. Just as I said, we'll see.

Last year I was surprised by the score I shot but I think obviously I showed that it's do believe. See what I can do this year.