From Beth Ann Nichols at Golfweek:
With no grandstands and fans to wave to as Popov came up the 18th fairway with a three-shot lead, she turned to her caddie, boyfriend Maximilian Mehles, and told him that the calming seaside views reminded her of a scene from Lord of the Rings.
It wasn’t the electric atmosphere that the Symetra Tour player deserved, but Popov knew that her performance this week inspired people more than she’ll ever know.
“I think that’s why I broke down on the 18th hole,” said Popov, “because it’s been something I couldn’t have dreamed of just a week ago, and it’s incredible that golf allows for these things to happen because, you know, I think the difference between two players any given week is never that big … and the hard work they put in is the same.”
In May, Popov won a Cactus Tour event at Troon North, named for Royal Troon and co-designed by Tom Weiskopf, 1973 Open winner at Troon.
Alistair Tait was there and admitted to shedding a few tears over seeing someone go from obscurity to major winner.
More importantly, hopefully this wonderful advert for women’s golf will entice sponsors to dig into their coffers to back the women’s game. Once again, the world’s best women proved they can pen heart felt stories that resonate with golf fans.
I’ve been there, done that, in the royal & ancient game. Yet there I was on Sunday afternoon with tears running down my face as I watched Popov pull off the unlikeliest of victories. I wasn’t alone. Hardened people in the game were also shedding tears. Trish Johnson admitted as much during TV commentary, and she’s a 19-time Ladies European Tour winner who played in eight Solheim Cups.
Now, there is one catch. It’s an issue for the Masters this fall as well: the postponed ANA Inspiration’s field will not include Popov, who could return to southern California where she played college golf at USC. The ANA field was frozen in place and as a non-LPGA member going into this week. Nichols with this commentary for Golfweek:
Because the LPGA’s majors are out of order due to COVID-19, Popov’s five-year exemption won’t start until 2021. An LPGA official explained that since the ANA field was basically filled when the tour had to shut down, they’ve chosen to honor that field. The only exemption adjustment was changing the cutoff for top 20 on the money list.
But because Popov, 28, isn’t an LPGA member (she missed out on her card by a single shot last fall at Q-Series), her $675,000 earnings won’t count as official money.
The victory does put Popov into the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in October. It does not, however, get her into the U.S. Women’s Open in December.
Popov’s last post pre-tournament social media post documented her first look at the Postage Stamp:
Your highlights options come in either a sixty second version or a much longer edition:
0-60 with Toyo Tires
The Champion @SophiaCPopov round 4 highlights in 60 seconds! #AIGWO #WorldClass pic.twitter.com/CoIinN1H03
Popov’s emotional post-round acceptance speech in front of Troon’s clubhouse.
An emotional interview from @sophiacpopov after her incredible triumph!
What a performance from Sophia. She is now a major champion!#AIGWO #WorldClass pic.twitter.com/13e9NbnW5p
Rich Lerner reflected on Popov’s win in the world of amazing sports upsets.
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