World No 304 holds three-shot lead going into final roundPopov has no tour victories and was 100-1 at startGlory for Sophia Popov in the Women’s Open would represent one of the most staggering tales in a routine sporting year, let alone one as unorthodox as this. The lack of awareness relating to Hinako Shibuno, who triumphed at Woburn 12 months ago, was generally UK-centric. Shibuno had arrived at the event when 44th in the world and fresh from wins in
Japan. Popov headed to Royal Troon, where experience is supposedly a crucial commodity, as ranked 304th.
Much of her 2020 has been spent on the Cactus Tour, which controversially ploughed on in competitive form during lockdown with purses of about $3,000. By Sunday evening, Popov could be $675,000 richer for following in the footsteps of Bernhard Langer and Martin Kaymer as a German major champion. Heads would turn.