U.S. ADAPTIVE OPEN

July 11, 2023

Kipp Popert

Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (Course No. 6)

Press Conference

Q. We're here with Kipp Popert, 3-under 69 today. Nice playing out there. Can you talk us through your round?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, I played really solid today. First seven holes I think I had 15 feet, 20 feet for birdie every hole. Hit really good putts and was catching it.

Really nice eagle on one of the par-5s, No. 6. It's around the corner, so in the practice round it was a lot easier to do, and I hit it over the corner.

Yesterday I bailed out right, and then today I just stepped up and hit a perfect drive, hard, straight over the trees, had 175, hit a perfect 6-iron and then a perfect putt. It's probably the first perfect hole I've ever played in my life. I really enjoyed that one.

Q. You're sitting atop the leaderboard with a one-stroke lead. What are you going to try to do tomorrow to bring home this USGA championship?

KIPP POPERT: Just do what I always do, play golf, enjoy it. It's tough to not enjoy it when you're doing what you love.

Q. Speak on how much fun you're having out here with your friends and playing in a high competitive atmosphere.

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, anyone that knows me knows I love this. I love a putt to win. I love pressure.

I've got a good friend on my bag, Ben. We've had multiple wins together. We're a good team. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

Q. What sort of adjustments did you make today from yesterday's round?

KIPP POPERT: None really, to be honest. I just played the same golf. I hit it really well both days. Didn't get up-and-down a couple times today. But yeah, not much changed really.

Q. Did the weather sort of play a factor? I know it was wet yesterday and scorching hot today.

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, it was cooler yesterday, which as an Englishman was much nicer, but there's lots of trees out here, so we just stood in the shade, and it was nice. The ball didn't really go much different, either, in distance, so it was good.

Q. What was working for you today the most?

KIPP POPERT: I drove it well. I hit my irons really well. I putted pretty well. I was pleased with how I putted. I'll be out on the putting green now after this. Didn't hole as many as I'd like, but I hit some good putts.

Q. You mentioned some of your wins in the past. How can you channel that, what it's going to take to close out tomorrow?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, just to be honest, before I had any wins, I always liked winning. I like competing and I like being the guy hitting the shots.

I know I've definitely matured, and I know we play very good golf and smart golf. We've got a good game plan, and I'll just follow that, and hopefully have the trophy at the end of the day.

Q. Where does your competitiveness come from? Is it something you had as a kid?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, to be honest, maybe having cerebral palsy when I was younger, I've always been very sporty, so when I used to play football, rugby, it was always tougher for me. I think that's why maybe I'm good at golf because I feel like I'm very good when it's not going well, and I like -- my granddad always said something called press on. Basically whatever task you've got, press on.

It's pretty nice when you just keep it simple like that.

I grew up with my cousins. They're all rugby players, so I think playing in the garden with them and they never took it easy on me. I'd just dust my knees off and keep going, so that's what I do on the golf course.

Q. What are your plans for tonight? I know you've been hanging out with Kurtis? Are you hanging out tonight?

KIPP POPERT: Yeah, we went to the supermarket yesterday and bought some really nice steaks, so they've been marinating for 24 hours. Should be good.