Sophia Popov Wins Maiden Major At Women's Open
The 27-year-old German won her maiden Major title at Royal Troon by two strokes
The 27-year-old German won her maiden Major title at Royal Troon by two strokes
Sophia Popov Wins Maiden Major At Women's Open
Sophia Popov won her first Major title at the AIG Women’s Open at Royal Troon to become Germany's first female Major champion.
The 27-year-old finished at 7-under-par to beat Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura by two strokes and claim the $675,000 first-place cheque.
The pair had a great battle on the final day but it was Popov who came out on top after a 68 (-3) featuring five birdies.
She broke down into tears after victory, revealing that she almost quit the game last year.
Popov only qualified for the event two weeks ago at the Marathon Classic, a week after caddying for her friend Anne Van Dam.
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“It feels amazing. There's a lot of hard work behind it, and a lot of struggles that I went through the last six years, especially health-wise [Lyme disease]. I'm glad I stuck with it," Popov said.
“I knew my game was in really good shape. I know anything's possible and I think I took that belief with me to every round, but I never expected this. Obviously, I was nervous the whole round and I'm just so glad I could get it done.
“I guess it is an incredible story and I think, just personally for me, that's why I broke down on the 18th hole because it's been something I couldn't have dreamed of just a week ago.”
Australia's Minjee Lee was in third at -3 with Inbee Park at one under.
AIG Women's Open Leaderboard
1 Sophia Popov -7
2 Jasmine Suwannapura -5
3 Minjee Lee -3
4 Inbee Park -1
5 Austin Ernst E
6 Momoko Ueda +1
7 In Gee Chun +2
7 Andrea Lee +2
7 Jennifer Song +2
7 Caroline Masson +2
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Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
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