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Defending champion Kipp Popert carded an impressive seven-under 65 to take a two shot lead after the opening round of the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open at the new venue of Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas.
Popert's 65 broke the previous lowest round record by two shots and saw the Englishman make a strong start in his bid to successfully defend his title. Playing in the Neurological Impairment category, Popert birdied three of his first four holes and played his final three holes in three under.
The 25-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, was pleased with his start. "This course is set up for scoring," Popert said. “There is not too much rough. It’s quite, yeah, almost semi-rough to be honest, if you miss the fairways. And the fairways for me — coming from Europe — are massive.
"I love this, it's why I've practiced for so many years since I was three or four years old. So yeah, I'm excited for tomorrow."
— USGA (@USGA) July 9, 2024
Defending U.S. Adaptive Open champ and 36-hole leader @KpPopert is ready for tomorrow's final round. pic.twitter.com/4jxAoTce4f
“I know if you play this course and just play smart you’re going to make a lot of birdies. It’s keeping the bogeys off that’s my priority to be honest.”
He believes keeping bogeys off his card will be the key as he targets back-to-back Adaptive Open wins.
Popert's opening 65 also saw him take the outright lead in the overall men's division. In second is Spain's Juan Postigo after a 67 -5 while American Chad Pfeifer is tied for third after a 68-4.
History was made in the women's competition as American Bailey Bish shot a bogey-free three-under 69 to not only lead the women's division but record the lowest ever round by a female in the event's short history.
Bish's playing partner Chad Pfeifer said:"Definitely helps when you have other people in the group that are playing really well. It’s nice to feed off them, both of them." Bish now holds a six shot lead over defending champion Ryanne Jackson in the Neurological Impairment category.
“Bailey was amazing. I mean, she was just steady the whole day and made some great putts. Really fun for her to shoot that low.”
In total there were 10 males and one female who broke par on day one compared to just three males after the opening round in 2023. Players universally praised the forgiving layout of the new Sand Creek Station venue which has resulted in significantly lower scores than the first two U.S. Adaptive Opens at Pinehurst.
Popert will take his two shot lead into day two as he aims to win for a second straight year but history beckons for the inspirational Bish who is firmly in position to claim her first U.S. Adaptive Open title.
Read more: Genesis Scottish Open 2024 Preview: McIlroy Favorite, Fleetwood and Kim Touted for First Win
What were the most memorable shots from Day 1
- Kipp Popert's Opening Birdie Barrage
Defending champion Kipp Popert got off to a blistering start, carding three birdies in his first four holes to take an early lead. Popert's strong start set the tone for his record-setting round of 65 .
- Juan Postigo's Eagle on the Par-5 15th
Spain's Juan Postigo made an eagle on the par-5 15th hole to highlight his round of 67, which put him in second place after the first day .
- Chad Pfeifer's Hole-Out for Birdie
American Chad Pfeifer holed out from the fairway for birdie on one of the holes, showcasing his impressive shot-making ability on his way to a 68 .
- Bailey Bish's Birdie Barrage in the Women's Division
In the women's competition, Bailey Bish from Tucson, Arizona carded five birdies in her round of 69 to take the lead after the first day .
U.S. Adaptive Open Round 1
Men’s Overall:
1. Kipp Popert, 65 -7
2. Juan Postigo, 67 -5
T3. Chad Pfeifer, 68 -4
Simon Seungmin Lee
Women’s Overall:
1. Bailey Bish, 69 -3
T2. Ryanne Jackson, 75 +3
Kim Moore
Men’s Intellectual Impairment:
1. Simon Seungmin Lee, 68 -4
2. William Jacobse, 74 +2
3. Kody Conover, 76 +4
Women’s Intellectual Impairment:
1. Amy Bockerstette, 81 +9
2. Natasha Stasiuk, 84 +12
3. Tessa Trojan, 87 +15
Men’s Lower Limb Impairment:
1. Juan Postigo, 67 -5
2. Chad Pfeifer, 68, -4
3. Austin Brown, 71 -1
Women’s Lower Limb Impairment:
1. Kim Moore, 75 +3
2. Mandi Sedlak, 79 +7
3. Nancy Lee, 82 +10
Men’s Multiple Limb Amputee:
1. Evan Mathias, 69 -3
T2. Erik Bowen, 71 -1
Issa Nlareb
Women’s Multiple Limb Amputee:
1. Rose Veldman, 85 +13
Men’s Neurological Impairment:
1. Kipp Popert, 65 -7
2. Vince Biser, 73 +1
3. Ford Martin, 75 +3
Women’s Neurological Impairment:
1. Bailey Bish, 69 -3
2. Ryanne Jackson, 75 +3
3. Chris Oviatt, 77 +5
Men’s Seated Players:
1. Thomas Duffy, 75 +3
2. Max Togisala, 76 +4
3. Mariano Tubio, 77 +5
Women’s Seated Players:
1. Annie Hayes, 90 +18
Men’s Short Stature:
1. Brendan Lawlor, 69 -3
2. Kurtis Barkley, 70 -2
3. Ricky Reilly, 74, +2
Men’s Upper Limb Impairment:
T1. Chris Willis, 72 E
T1. Robert Walden
3. Eli Villanueva, 74 +2
Women’s Upper Limb Impairment:
1. Cathy Walch, 81 +9
2. Sophia Howard, 83 +11
3. Abigail Davis, 86 +14
Men’s Vision Impairment:
1. Kiefer Jones, 72 E
2. Tyler Cashman, 87 +15
3. Jake Olson, 91 +19
Women’s Vision Impairment:
1. Amanda Cunha, 81 +9
What a swing! 🤩
— USGA (@USGA) July 9, 2024
Just 15 years old, Ryder Barr is the youngest player in the U.S. Adaptive Open field. pic.twitter.com/gT6JOzB1GM
Robert Walden nearly aced the par-3 3rd at the U.S. Adaptive Open 😯 pic.twitter.com/KjNekVDBTB
— USGA (@USGA) July 9, 2024
Describe the U.S. Adaptive Open in one word 👇 pic.twitter.com/eRt1iK62M7
— USGA (@USGA) July 8, 2024
References: https://golf.com/news/2024-u-s-adaptive-open-day-1/
