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Popov, a 27-year old with dual Germany and USA citizenship after moving to Germany at a young age, was playing on the Symetra Tour after making her LPGA Tour card for the 2020 season. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and events cancelled, Popov kept her game as sharp as possible playing in mini-tour events. She even took her turn as a caddy at the Drive on Championship in Ohio when play resumed a month ago.

A week after caddying for Anne van Dam at the Drive on Championship, Popov got into the Marathon LPGA Classic, much to her surprise. A tie for ninth finish qualified Popov for the Women’s British Open. Instead of heading to Scotland early, Popov opted to compete in a Symetra Tour event.

Popov managed a solid practice round at Royal Troon and stayed in the mix after the first two rounds. After a 67 on Saturday, Popov was in the lead and in position to do the improbable — jumping from Symetra Tour player to caddie to winning a major championship, but that’s exactly what she did, cruising most of the way on Sunday for a two-shot victory.

Cactus Tour: Keeping her Game Sharp

Popov gives a lot of credit to the nearly ten Cactus Tour events she played this season to keeping her game sharp entering Royal Troon. Popov made history by becoming the first female German to win a major tournament and joined Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer as the only German golfers to win a major.

Sophia's Early Days

It all started for the 5’ 7”, 27-year old at the age of five. In 2008, Popov won the 16-under German Girls Championship and the following year was a member of the European Junior Solheim Cup team and the European Girls’ Team Championships. Further elevating her amateur status in 2010, Popov was the top-ranked German junior golfer and winner of the International European Ladies Amateur Championship.

Popov made an immediate impact and the collegiate level, earning Freshman of the Year in 2011, and was a three-time All-Pac 12 at USC in 2011, 2013, 2014 and second-team in 2012. Popov earned five wins, which was the most in school history and was only the second player in program’s history to be named All-American four times.

Consistently Making the Cut

Looking to turn professional following her collegiate playing days, Popov finished tied for 11th at the Final Qualifying Tournament to earn playing status on LPGA Tour. In 2016, playing mainly on the Symetra Tour, Popov played very well, making the cut in 17 of 19 events including five top-10 finishes. In one LPGA Tour event, she earned just under $10,000.

In 2017, Popov made 18 cuts in 20 events and although didn’t win, finished in the top 25 eleven times. After finishing tied for 32 at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament, Popov earned playing status for the 2018 LPGA Tour season.

Playing 12 times on the LPGA Tour in 2018, Popov made six cuts, earning just under $75,000. Her top finish was a tie for 13th at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give. Participating in the inaugural LPGA Q-Series, Popov performed well enough to earn Priority List Category 14 status for the 2019 season, but made just one cut in nine events last season.

Congratulations, Sophia!

Prior to this weekend's win at the 2020 Women’s British Open, Popov was ranked just 304th in the world and was far from a household name, but this weekend's victory put her on the golf-world map, and could be just what she needed to jump-start her career. 

We are looking forward to seeing her in the winners' circle from this point forward!