Englishman Popert teed off on Thursday morning at Riyadh Golf Club in a field containing LIV Golf stars Henrik Stenson and Kevin Na, as well as a number of Asian Tour stars. 

The Englishman suffers from cerebral palsy and has undergone 10 operations during his lifetime, but he has not let that stop him from chasing his dreams. Now, with the support of Golf Saudi, Popert is enjoying the opportunity to compete in his first professional main tour event. 

Popert said: “Having the support of Golf Saudi allows me to play the sport I’ve dreamt of playing as a kid. I have practiced for years and years to have this opportunity, to play in my first main tour pro event, it’s exciting. 

“It doesn’t matter what event I am playing, the golf ball doesn’t move and I am still playing the same shots. I want to play the biggest events I can and compete against strong fields and test myself. I love challenges, I love feeling uncomfortable and this is why I’m here. 

“I played very solid. I did what I wanted to do, which was to stay composed. I hit it well and if you play golf long enough you have days where you don’t feel too happy. I know I’m going to have a lot of good days to come.” 

Popert is a determined character and knows that his presence in the field in the Kingdom this week will inspire people with a disability across the world to pick up a golf club and play the game. He has been backed throughout his career by his family and encouraged all children with disabilities to never limit their expectations. 

Popert added: “If I spent my whole life limiting myself to what other people’s expectations are of me, I wouldn’t be here. I’m extremely fortunate to have the family I have, they never bubble wrapped me and always pushed me. If you have your sights set on something, then just do it. 

“My grandad always used to say: ‘press on’. Any challenges you have or setbacks, just press on. I took on that mantra. It’s a very simple mantra and that’s what I’ll do this week: hit a shot and press on. That is how I live my life and I am absolutely honoured to be here.” 

Popert was aiming to enjoy himself this week, no matter the outcome, and knows it is a great opportunity to talk to experienced professionals and to try and make improvements to his game. 

He said: “I haven’t played in many Asian Tour events or know the guys too well, but I have spoken to Henrik to try to and pick his thoughts as much as I can. Whatever this week threw at me, I wanted to play some solid golf, shoot some OK scores and it’d be a nice present to enjoy myself. In my life, I’ve always had challenges and I’ve always pushed myself to be uncomfortable. That is what I want to do. I want to be given the toughest challenge and see if I can rise to it.”

Image: Golf Saudi

The post Kipp Popert “Breaking The Impossible” appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

Kipp joins Golf Saudi as an ambassador and alongside him are 10 other players across the Ladies European Tour, Ladies PGA Tour, and LIV Golf.

Diagnosed with a form of cerebral palsy, Spastic diplegia, that affects his lower body and having gone through several surgeries, Kipp is an eight-time winner on the G4D Tour and the Englishman spoke exclusively to Golf Digest Middle East at the recent G4D Tour Season Finale @ DP World Tour Championship, Jumeirah Golf Estates.

.@Golf_Saudi partner with Kipp Popert, the World Number One golfer with a disability

?️“It’s amazing, I want to get as far as I can in the game and having their backing is a great honor” @KpPopert

Full story on https://t.co/6VFDIuncLG pic.twitter.com/OKG55e7ApW

— Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) November 19, 2023

“It’s amazing and I’m really appreciative of their support (Golf Saudi), I want to get as far as I can in the game and having their backing is a great honour.”

Popert’s trophy cabinet spans across some of the globe’s greatest courses; The Belfry, Wentworth Club, Real Club Valderrama and Victoria Golf Club. The 25-year-old even has prior experience in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as he competed on the Asian Development Tour in the 2022 PIF Saudi Open at Riyadh Golf Club against a full field of able-bodied professionals.

“It was my first time playing in an elite tour event and it was an awesome experience. I’m heading back there in a few weeks as well so I’m excited to get going. The facilities down there are awesome and are only going to get better.”

The partnership between Kipp, his fellow ambassadors and Golf Saudi will further improve inclusivity within golf in the region and provide Kipp with the opportunity to give back to the sport that has given him so much.

Image: Golf Saudi

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