Women’s Open: Sophia Popov on trail of her second Troon triumph

But first one for third-round leader was on a mini-tour in the Arizona desert

Sophia Popov of Germany plays her third shot on the 16th hole during day three of the 2020 AIG Women's Open at Royal Troon. Picture: R&A via Getty Images

Sophia Popov is on the brink of a second Troon triumph this year. The first one on a mini-tour in the Arziona desert has given her the confidence to set up a golden opportunity to become a major winner on the Ayrshire coast.

After carding the first bogey-free round of a testing week with a polished 67 for a four-under total, the 27-year-old leads by three shots heading into the final round of the $4.5 million AIG Women’s Open. Finishing the job off would see her become Germany’s first women’s major winner and join male compatriots Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer at golf’s top table. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t going to be super nervous tomorrow morning,” she admitted of the challenge that lies ahead. “I’ve just got to realise that they are there and play with them.”

Based purely on her being the world No 304 and not even holding a full LPGA Tour status, Popov picking up a top prize of $675,000 would be on the same shock scale as Todd Hamilton claiming the Claret Jug here just over 16 years ago.

Sophia Popov is aiming to be the first German winner of a women's major. Picture: R&A via Getty Images

Look at her form during lockdown, though, on the Cactus Tour in the US and she had the potential to prove prickly on the leaderboard in the first women’s major of 2020. Three wins since April included that one at Troon North in Scottsdale, while she was second on another three occasions and third and fourth as well.

The US-born player secured just her second start in this event with a top-ten finish in the Marathon Classic in Ohio on the LPGA Tour a fortnight ago. After opening with rounds of 70-72 to sit one off the lead at the halfway stage, she made her move with an eagle-3 at the fourth in the third round.

“That was a great way to get into my round,” admitted Popov afterwards. “I hit a driver off the deck from 258-259 yards. It suited my eye and it landed on the perfect spot. It definitely gave me confidence for the rest of the round.”

A birdie followed at the 12th before she rolled in a 30-footer for a 2 at the 17th. From much closer, she left a putt agonisingly short at the last. It was still a fantastic day’s work, though. Equalling the best effort of the week in a testing crosswind has given her a cushion in the title battle. Minjee Lee, the world No 8 from Australia, and Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura share second spot on one-under, with another German, Caroline Masson a further shot back along with American duo Lindsey Weaver and Austin Ernst. After an up-and-down day, Lydia Ko sits in a group on two-over.

“I grew up playing all the British Girls’ and British Ams and those are my favourite tournaments,” said Popov of being no stranger to links golf, even though this particular test, especially for the first two rounds, has not been for the faint-hearted. “My last one was in Carnoustie, which was obviously a highlight in my career. I feel very comfortable out there. I’ve managed to not put myself in positions where I was freaking out. I’ve just been playing very solid.”

Catriona Matthew, the 2009 winner, finished bogey-bogey for a 74 to sit joint-40th on eight-over. The 50-year-old is the leading British player alongside Becky Morgan from Wales but was “disappointed” with that sign off after having just one blemish on her card to that point. Michele Thomson, the other Scot to make the cut, sits on 17-over after an 80.

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