Women’s Open Offers Respite — Sophia Popov Leads By Three

Biggest question at the 2020 Women’s Open is — who is Sophia Popov and how did she get a three-shot lead on Saturday at Royal Troon?

First, the weather took a turn for the better in the third round of the first women’s major of the season.  Winds diminished and blew “only” in the 15 mile-per-hour range for most of the day.  The sun was out, no rain to be seen and Popov turned in the best round among the top contenders — a four-under par 67.  She’s four-under for the championship and three in front of Minjee Lee (69) and Jasmine Suwannapura (69) headed into Sunday’s finale.

Popov has conditional playing status on the LPGA Tour.  When the tour restarted at Inverness, Popov was the caddie for her friend, Anne Van Dam.  Popov got into the Open with a tie for ninth at the Marathon Classic last week.  She arrived in Scotland in time to get one practice round under her belt.

On Sunday she’ll have a chance to change the entire course of her career.

Austin Ernst, Caroline Masson and Lindsey Weaver will start the final round five shots back at one-over par.

Two-time major champion Lydia Ko was one of three players who finished at two-over.

Women’s Open Scoreboard: