Player Bio: Sophia Popov2021 U.S. Women's Open

Age: 28
Country: Germany
College: University of Southern California
Worldwide professional victories: 4 (1 on LPGA Tour)
Road to Olympic: Winner of 2020 Women's British Open; Winner of LPGA Tour-sanctioned event from conclusion of originally scheduled 2020 U.S. Women's Open to start of 2021 championship; Top 75 in Rolex Rankings as of April 14

Popov became one of the feel-good stories of the 2020 season when she captured the AIG Women’s British Open at Royal Troon as the No. 304th-ranked player in the world. Popov wasn’t even in the field before posting a top-10 finish in the LPGA Tour’s Marathon Classic. A week earlier, she caddied for fellow European Anne Van Dam in the Drive On Championship at Inverness. Popov began 2020 without full-time status on the LPGA Tour. During the LPGA Tour’s shutdown, Popov gained confidence by winning three Cactus Tour events in Arizona. Then at Royal Troon, Popov held off a bevy of challengers, including Minjee Lee, Inbee Park and Jasmine Suwannapura to post a two-stroke victory. Popov, who was born in Massachusetts but raised primarily in Germany, competed in the 2010 and 2012 Women’s World Amateur Team Championships.   

U.S.  Women's Open Playing Record