18 Things You Didn’t Know About Sophia Popov

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 10 February 2021

Get to know 2020 AIG Women's British Open champion Sophia Popov, a little better.

18 Things You Didn’t Know About Sophia Popov

Sophia Popov shocked the golfing world in 2020 when she defeated the world’s elite to win the AIG Women's British Open.

At the time German was ranked 304^th in the world and, thanks to her victory, has changed the landscape of the LPGA Tour after changing rules regarding Major winners and reciveing full benefits.

But how well do you actually know her? Well here are 18 things you didn’t know about Popov.

Sophia Popov Rules — The LPGA Have Introduced New Rulings In 2021 Due To The Incident With Popov. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

18 Things You Didn’t Know About Sophia Popov

1. Popov was born in Massachusetts, USA, on 2^nd October 1992.

2. She has two siblings and credits her brother as the individual who influenced her career the most.

3. Popov moved to Germany when she was four years old and took up golf a year later.

4. The German’s hobbies include: skiing, running and tennis.

5. Having been born in Boston, Popov has been a New England Patriots fan since 1992.

6. As an amateur, Popov played college golf at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

7. She was a three-time All American whilst at college.

8. In 2010, she won the International European Ladies Amateur Championship.

Sophia Popov Amateur Career — Popov In Action at the 2010 Women's World Amateur Team Golf Championship. (Photo by Richard Rad/LGetty Images)

9. Popov has played in the Junior Solheim Cup and Espirito Santo Trophy.

10. She turned professional in 2014.

11. In 2015, Popov fell ill but continued to play on Tour. Three years later, she was diagnosed with Lyme Disease.

12. Popov has a full Callaway bag, except her Odyssey putter and Titleist golf ball.

13. During 2016 and 2020, Popov plied her trade on the Symetra Tour, claiming four runner-up finishes.

14. In 2019, she missed out on qualifying for the LPGA Tour by one shot at qualifying school.

15. Due to Covid affecting the LPGA and Symetra Tours, Popov played on the Cactus Tour, winning three times.

16. Her boyfriend was actually her Open winning caddie, Max Mehles. Mehles is also a golfer himself, playing previously at Kentucky University.

Sophia Popov Boyfriend — Popov With Her Boyfriend/Caddie Max Mehles At The Women's Open (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

17. Because of her high finish at the Marathon Classic, the German qualified for the 2020 AIG Women's British Open. She went on to win it by 2 shots.

18. After collecting her prize money, Popov said that she spent her winnings on a TrackMan.

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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

18 Things You Didn’t Know About Sophia Popov

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