WEEKEND WARRIOR POPOV MAKES A CHARGE
Sophia Popov seems to love weekend golf. She charged up the leaderboard again on Saturday with a bogey-free 5-under, 67 to move from T11 to a tie for third.“I’m really happy with today, I was bogey-free, which I realized when I was signing my scorecard,” said Popov, who ranks 11th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list. “Only circles, no squares. I felt a little freed up today, I was going for the pins instead of the middle of greens.”
Popov has made these type of weekend charges before. Three weeks ago, she fired a 5-under, 67 in the final-round at the Tullymore Classic to finish in a tie for second.
“On weekends, I feel more calm,” said Popov. “I always feel like I can go for it on the weekend whereas on Thursday and Friday I feel like I have to protect the score more. I’m unnecessarily holding myself back and on the weekends I feel like I can go for everything.”
Popov was also helped by the presence of her mom, Claudia, who she refers to as her “rock”.
“She was welcomed at the airport with “#1 Caddy” signs by some friends of mine and it was very cute,” explained Popov. “She is definitely my rock when it comes to being on the course and having someone to talk to about everything else but golf.”
SARA-MAUDE JUNEAU CALLS IT A CAREER
Sara-Maude Juneau (Quebec, Canada) has officially decided that the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic will be her last tournament to end her brilliant seven-year career.“It wasn’t easy trying to decide, and it took awhile, but once I decided I was ready to move on, I thought that Rochester would be a good fit to end my career in golf,” Juneau said.
Juneau feels that the Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic was the right place because it is so close to Canada.
“My brother surprised me yesterday morning, so that was really fun. I’m good friends with Mike Vadala, Tournament Chairman, so I knew it would be a great fit. I’m happy that I ended it here,” Juneau stated.
Throughout her career, Juneau has accomplished many milestones including finishing in the top 10 on Volvik Race for the Card in 2012, which enabled her to join the LPGA Tour in 2013. She competed in 23 events on the LPGA during her career.
Juneau has been looking into different opportunities and coaching is where her heart is. She would like to stay in the golf industry and apply what she has learned throughout the years to help the younger players.
“I think I can help out because I reached the LPGA, and I was put in situations where I was leading or runner up. I feel like I’ve learned a lot. Every year I try to take a couple rookies and help them out,” Juneau said.
Like many that leave the tour to pursue other opportunities, Juneau will miss the friends she made most.
“I’m going to miss the friends and the people you meet out here. Everyone is so nice. That is what I’m going to miss the most,” Juneau said. “My top 10 finish in 2012 was a big thing for me, and all of my top 10 finishes in general, but golf wise it was a pleasure to travel the world, and meet all of these great people.”
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