Popov becomes first German to win women’s Major at British Open

World No. 304 Sophia Popov became the first German to win a women’s Major with victory in the British Open, just a year after being on the verge of quitting golf.

Three ahead at the start of the final round, the 27-year-old finished on seven-under 277 after carding a 68.

Thailand’s Jasmine Suwannapura was second, two shots off the pace.

Popov was in tears even before she hit the final putt, and was overcome with emotion as she left the final green at Royal Troon.

“I haven’t talked about it before but I had a lot of health issues in my early time on Tour. After a couple of years it was finally diagnosed as Lyme disease,” she said.

“It is something that sticks with you, but I am very careful with my nutrition and working out. But it took a lot of personal research and now I feel pretty good.”

The tournament was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus and Popov admitted it was a strange sensation.

“Walking down 18th was strange with no crowds. But it was so beautiful. I thought it looked like Lord of the Rings.

“Sometimes grandstands and huge galleries mean you can’t see the course properly. So it was a different kind of nice.”

Popov, who had never even won a major Tour event, made a shaky start, hitting her opening tee shot into a bunker and going on to make a bogey five.

But with her German boyfriend Max as her caddie, she bounced back with birdies from inside 10 feet at the second and third and never wavered.

She made another birdie at the sixth and vital back nine birdies at the 15th and 16th helped seal the deal.

Three ahead with three to pay, she could almost enjoy the final walk.

“I can hardly get anything out of my mouth,” said Popov as she clutched the trophy.

“I nearly quit playing last year – thank God I didn’t.