Sophia Popov’s rise from almost quitting to Symetra and Cactus Tour player, to caddie a month ago to Open Champion is the stuff of history, with maybe only Ben Curtis posting an equally improbable major win.
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.