Major champion Sophia Popov leads the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Championship by four strokes over Hailee Cooper heading into the final round at the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course.
Popov overcame a rough Friday, where she saw her -7 lead get erased by a +2 73, putting her three strokes back heading into the weekend. The improved pace of play was a major help for Popov Saturday, after her first round playing partner Pauline Del Rosario was disqualified.
“I think yesterday, it was tough. We were a twosome behind a bunch of threesomes, so the day was just slow. And I feel like I got a little bit too aggressive, because after waiting so much, it was kind of tough,” said Popov.
Popov credited her dad, who is caddying for her this week, for helping out with that patience.
“It’s been great. You know, my dad, as much as he loves golf, he just appreciates good golf. And sometimes I hit shots that I’m maybe not that happy with, and he says, ‘You know what, it’s center of the green. It could be a lot worse.’ And he kind of keeps things in perspective for me,” said Popov.
Not surprisingly, she also cited her residence in Scottsdale as being helpful. The Arizona weather has been brutally hot this week out there, but she said she is used to it and knows what to expect.
Popov made six birdies, one eagle and one bogey on the round. She got off to a fast start, and then cruised through an afternoon with relatively high winds and beating down sun rays. After qualifying and making the cut last week on the LPGA Tour, the 2020 AIG Women’s Open winner feels good about her game:
“I feel like my game is in a great spot. I think the most important thing is picking good targets and kind of sticking to the game plan tomorrow. Being super patient when it’s windy out here,” said Popov.
Popov’s closest competitor, Cooper, played her college golf both at Texas A&M and Texas and is in her second season on The Epson Tour. She is still looking for her first win on the tour, but ranks No. 17 in The Race for the Card.
Of course, we can’t forget about the other major champion in the field, Cristie Kerr, who is holding steady at -7, five strokes back, after a -2 third round.
The final round of the Carlisle Arizona Women’s Golf Classic kicks off this morning in Scottsdale.
