AIG Women's Open: Sophia Popov enjoys 'mellow' chats with Catriona Matthew

Catriona Matthew may have displayed a rare show of sheer excitement as she dashed on to the 18th green at Gleneagles after Suzann Pettersen holed the winning putt in the 2019 Solheim Cup, but the Scot is back in super cool mode.
Catriona Matthew celebrates after Europe's dramatic victory in the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Picture: Marc Runnacles/LETCatriona Matthew celebrates after Europe's dramatic victory in the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Picture: Marc Runnacles/LET
Catriona Matthew celebrates after Europe's dramatic victory in the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles. Picture: Marc Runnacles/LET

“She’s pretty laid back and our conversations have been pretty mellow,” reported Sophia Popov, the defending champion in this week’s AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie, of Matthew in reference to her captaining Europe for a second time in next month’s match at Inverness Golf Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Having backed up her fairytale win in this event at Royal Troon just under a year ago with some strong performances on the LPGA Tour this year, Popov has guaranteed herself a debut appearance in the biennial bout.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She currently tops the four players to qualify from the Rolex World Rankings, with Carlota Ciganda, Charley Hull and Georgia Hall the others on course to make the team from that route when it is announced by Matthew on Monday.

Defending champion Sophia Popov speaks in a press conference prior to the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie Golf Links. Picture: R&A via Getty Images.Defending champion Sophia Popov speaks in a press conference prior to the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie Golf Links. Picture: R&A via Getty Images.
Defending champion Sophia Popov speaks in a press conference prior to the AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie Golf Links. Picture: R&A via Getty Images.

Two other automatic spots from the LET rankings are currently occupied by Emily Kristine Pedersen and Sanna Nuutinen, with the latter feeling the heat heading into the final counting event.

That leaves Matthew with six picks on this occasion, with the contenders being led by Mel Reid, Matilda Castren, Leona Maguire, Anna Nordqvist and Celine Boutier but others including Bronte Law and Jodi Ewart Shadoff.

“It's a little bit early for her to talk about too much because she still has some picks to make, but it’s been nice,” said Popov of the relationship she has developed with the North Berwick woman over the past few months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“She's been texting me every time I've been playing well and just to see how I'm feeling. I got to play with her on Monday, which was very nice. We had a couple quick chats.

“But also just about everything in general. I don't think she's just someone to talk to only for Solheim Cup purposes as she’s been a great help for a lot of other stuff. She's probably deep down excited, but everything she says sounds really calm. I think that's the nice thing.”

As the world No 304, Popov wasn’t even close to being on the radar when she pulled off her huge shock on the Ayrshire coast last year, but, as the title holder in Angus, her face is plastered everywhere this week.

“It's been pretty fun, actually,” said the bubbly US-born 28-year-old. “There's been this video on a 20-second cycle in the clubhouse and I think everyone is fed up of seeing me, to be honest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Normally I'm way too humble of a person to even identify with something like that, but this week I can, so I'm just taking it all in. I'm like, ‘yip, I'm defending’ and being all cool about it.

“It's awesome. You walk in the locker room and I have one of the first lockers for all the previous winners and that's just something that's very cool and I honestly didn't even know about until I got here.”

Popov has an afternoon start in Thursday’s opening round, with Kelsey MacDonald, who is among five Scots in the field along with Matthew, Gemma Dryburgh, Kylie Henry and amateur Louis Duncan, hitting the opening shot at 6.30am.

A message from the Editor:

Get a year of unlimited access to all of The Scotsman's sport coverage without the need for a full subscription. Expert analysis, exclusive interviews, live blogs, and 70 per cent fewer ads on Scotsman.com - all for less than £1 a week. Subscribe to us today https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.