Sophia Popov is looking forward to returning to competitive golf as she gets ready to tee it up in the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Tampa.
This is the first time the German star will have teed it up competitively since the birth of her daughter in June 2023.
Popov is no stranger to the Aramco Team Series events having played in two previously in New York and Sotogrande.
But it is always a little bit different playing in your first tournament back and the Major champion has already discovered some things she has needed to adjust.
“You have to be a lot more disciplined now,” she said. “Honestly, this is my first time really figuring out for tournament week. I have to plan in a lot more time, I realised that a few days ago.
“I wake up in the morning thinking this is going to be my schedule, and then she does something that makes me about 25 minutes late. That’s definitely changed, but what I do like is that the time that I am on the golf course, I just work very efficiently.
“I use my time better than I did before. If I have three hours, I have three hours and I have to get my work done. I think it’s actually helped me and when I come home, I always have someone that smiling at me and is excited to see me.”
On motherhood and any advice she had received on returning to Tour life, Popov said she had spoken to U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis and Brittany Lincicome, who is in the field this week.
She added: “I talked to Stacy Lewis actually when I was still pregnant, she gave me quite a few tips on travelling. What to take, what not to take and how to schedule your week to be most efficient, and then also just kind of the expectation levels.
“We’re similar, we probably expect the same thing as we did before and it’s just trying to figure that out. She gave me a lot of help and so did Brittany Lincicome who’s here this week. She’s helped me too.”
Popov was picked by England’s Bronte Law, who won last time out on the LET, in the Draft which took place at the Raymond James Stadium.
The three-time LET winner has known the Major champion for many years and she was the obvious choice when she was still available.
Law explained: “I’ve known Sophia for a very long time. We’ve had a lot of fun times when we were in college, she went to the other school in LA.
“We spent a lot of time with each other, and she took me under her wing a bit. When I was a junior, I remember playing Vagliano and being on the other side and we had just a really good relationship from a young age and always looked up to her.”
The 2020 AIG Women’s champion, as well as being able to play alongside a friend also has her husband Max on the bag.
And she can’t wait to get going surrounded by friends and family at Feather Sound Country Club.
Popov added: “I have just really been looking forward to this week. I think the event itself is so fun. Obviously, playing with Bronte is an added bonus and then just having my family around. Having Max on the bag is always my preference, it is a matter of whether he can or not.
“We have both our mums here, so I know she’s in great hands. It’s definitely different, but It’s fun. I go to the golf course, I do my thing, but I know that when as soon as we’re done, you know, I can go look for her and, get some cuddles, some smiles. I think that it just makes every day better.”
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