Sophia Popov has provided us with the sports story of this COVID summer with her fairy tale win of the #AIGWomensOpen last weekend at Royal Troon.
Today the LPGA clarified her future status which has thrown some cold water on the story.
We all thought amongst her prizes for the major win she would receive the 5 year full exemption. However under the rules only "LPGA members at the time of the win get the full 5 years"
So as it stands Sophia lost out on her LPGA card by a shot at Q school so joined the Symetra Tour and does not qualify.
She is a full member for this season and 2021. She doesn't qualify for the upcoming ANA Inspiration because that field was filled earlier when it should have been played this year, and she does not get into the US Open because it has offered the last 5 Open winners before this year.
The response has been loud and large with Ian Poulter saying the decision has "taken the top story to the lowest in a week" and Tommy Fleetwood calling it "stupid"
Popov says the news has been getting her down, but understands they can't change it just for her.
With respect to the winners before her, it's obviously time for the change, and for the sake of the game I hope they do.
Knowing Sophia she will likely make all this a mute point the way she's playing.
Bryan Angus
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