Popert and Moore Make History at U.S. Adaptive Open
British star joins legends with three-peat as Moore claims second women’s crown at Woodmont
Las Vegas - English golfer Kipp Popert entered rarefied company by winning his third consecutive U.S. Adaptive Open at Woodmont Country Club in Maryland, while Kim Moore produced a gutsy comeback to secure her second women’s title.
Popert, 27, who has cerebral palsy, dominated the field to join Tiger Woods, Carl Kauffmann and Willie Anderson as the only men to win the same USGA championship three years running. His final-round 65 gave him a commanding 12-shot victory.
“It’s definitely been on my mind,” said Popert. “When I had surgery this year and my foot wasn’t getting better, I dreaded missing this. To come here and play the way I did, I’m really pleased. I can’t thank my caddie Ben enough — he’s won all three with me.”
Popert’s performance left little doubt. After a record 61-66 start for 127, he fired five birdies on the front nine Wednesday, sticking to his plan of fairways and precision approaches to finish the week at 19-under-par, with only four bogeys over 54 holes.
For Moore, 44, of Michigan, the path was harder. She started the final day three behind and still reeling from an 83 in round two. But steady play and mental resilience saw her overhaul Cassie Sengul to add to her inaugural 2022 title.
“It feels just as good as the first time,” Moore said. “Yesterday my mental game got to me, but today I stayed positive and it made all the difference.”
Sengul, a 19-year-old from Virginia, couldn’t maintain her early lead after opening with a double bogey and bogey. Still, the rising star called it an “uplifting week” and vowed to return stronger.
The USGA also crowned category winners including Bailey Bish, Natasha Stasiuk, Simon Lee, Lachlan Wood, Rose Veldman and others across impairment classifications.
The championship, which continues to showcase inclusive competition at the highest level, returns next year — and few would bet against Popert or Moore adding more history to their names.