VILLAGE OF PINEHURST, N.C. — A field of 96 golfers descended upon Pinehurst No. 6 this week for the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open, the second playing of the USGA’s newest championship that showcases some of the best disabled golfers from around the world.
Just how good are they? A total of 22 players boast plus handicaps, with 10 coming in at a full shot better than scratch.
There’s a four-way tie at the top for best handicap, with Kipp Popert (Neurological Impairment), Simon Lee (Intellectual Impairment), Hayato Yoshida (Leg Impairment) and Mike Browne (Leg Impairment) all owning handicaps of +3.7.
Get to know the 22 players in the 2023 U.S. Adaptive Open field who play with plus handicaps.
Handicap: +3.7
Impairment category: Neurological
Kipp Popert (+3.7, neurological) stripes one down the fairway. He currently holds a 2-shot lead for the overall men’s title with 6 holes to play. pic.twitter.com/2ZhGLf55aS
— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) July 12, 2023
Handicap: +3.7
Impairment category: Intellectual
Defending men’s champion Simon Lee (+3.7, intellectual impairment) hits one long and right down down the fairway on No. 17. You can tell he’s played on the Korean PGA Tour with a swing like this. pic.twitter.com/ggXlzSbE17
— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) July 11, 2023
Handicap: +3.7
Impairment category: Leg
Mike Browne (+3.7, leg impairment) scares the edge for birdie and cleaned up for par. He’s even for the tournament and looking to join the five men under par so far. pic.twitter.com/IRKYjjSLLy
— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) July 11, 2023
Handicap: +2.7
Impairment category: Leg
Austin Brown (+2.7, leg) ends his day on No. 18 with a two-putt par after his birdie attempt just comes up short. The former Washington State Cougar has used a prosthetic leg his entire life and was a walk on for the golf team. pic.twitter.com/X2JPy4lx15
— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) July 11, 2023
Handicap: +2.7
Impairment category: Neurological
Jack Bonifant (+2.7, neurological) was accidentally dropped down stairs at 6 weeks old and fractured his skull. Doctors weren’t optimistic about his future prospects in athletics but he went on to play D1 golf at James Madison. How about that. pic.twitter.com/aj43tSTKjK
— Adam Woodard (@AdamWoodard) July 12, 2023
Handicap: +2.2
Impairment category: Neurological
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