Kipp Popert makes USGA history with fourth straight win at U.S. Adaptive Open

Kipp Popert makes USGA history with fourth straight win at U.S. Adaptive Open

Since 1895, no man has won the same USGA championship four consecutive times.

Until now.

Kipp Popert’s dominance of the U.S. Adaptive Open was on full display Wednesday at Woodmont Country Club’s South Course, where he fired a third consecutive round in the 60s thanks to a phenomenal display of putting.

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At one point, the Englishman led by as many as nine after making eight birdies in the first 12 holes. Popert carded a closing 63, recording only two bogeys over the course of three rounds, to finish at 18 under for the championship, six in front of the event’s inaugural winner Simon Lee of South Korea, who closed with a 65.

“Last night I was thinking about having four and making the history books and I really wanted it,” said Popert, who was quick to point out the number of low scores this week. Nine players finished under par forin the men’s division.

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Justin Carlock, one of 11 newcomers to the field this week, finished in a share of third at 9 under with Max Togisala. Born with a condition that caused his fingers to fuse together and form differently, Carlock has undergone more than 10 surgeries on his hands. Carlock shot 69 in the final round.

One day after Togisala matched his own record of 67 in the seated division, he did it again in the final round. Four years ago, Togisala suffered a spinal cord injury while skiing that left him paralyzed from the waist down.

“He deserves a lot of recognition and lot of praise,” said Popert of Togisala’s performance. “To do what you do is incredible, mate.”

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In the overall women’s division, Kim Moore won her third national title. The Western Michigan coach, who finished second in 2023 and 2024, finished six shots ahead of Bailey Bish and Sunyoung Kim. Moore carded three consecutive rounds of 76 to finish at 12 over for the championship.

Born without a right foot and a severely clubbed left foot, Moore played collegiate golf at the University of Indianapolis. Her namesake Kim Moore Spirit Award is given to college golfers in all divisions who exemplify perseverance and high character.

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Kim Moore plays her tee shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Kim Moore plays her tee shot on the 15th hole during the final round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Kim is also a PGA professional who specializes in teaching the game to those with adaptive needs.

“We’e already seen that with the record number of women playing, it’s just about giving it your best,” said Moore of what she’d tell disabled women out there who might be watching.

“Maybe meet a local PGA professional like myself and hopefully get out there.”

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Juan Postigo plays his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Juan Postigo plays his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

A detail view of Mike Browne on the ninth hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Logan Whitton, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Jesse Florkowski plays his tee shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Logan Whitton, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Ricky Reilly interacts with Mike Browne on the ninth hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Logan Whitton, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Brock Leitner plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Logan Whitton, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Mandi Sedlak plays her shot from a bunker on the eighth hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Logan Whitton, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Meredith Dwyer plays her tee shot on the 16th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Bailey Bish reads her putt on the 16th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Kellie Valentine watches her tee shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Brendan Lawlor interacts with Chris Biggins on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Ford Martin watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Ryder Barr plays his tee shot on the 17th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

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Photos: 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open

Zachary Larose plays his shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the 2026 U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club (South Course) in Rockville, Md. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

(Kathryn Riley, USGA Museum)

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Kipp Popert makes USGA history with fourth straight win at U.S. Adaptive Open

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