Combining a career as a professional athlete and motherhood has never been easy and for Sophia Popov it has been an up and down journey.
When Sophia Popov captured the AIG Women’s Open title in 2020, it marked not only the pinnacle of her career but also a defining moment in women’s golf. “That was the highlight of my career,” she reflects. “It was my seventh season on tour already. I had waited a long time for it, and that’s why it made it more special. Winning again is so hard. Every first-time winner goes through that challenge of trying to capture another title. It took me five years to win again on the Epson Tour, and that really puts into perspective just how difficult it is to get it done.”
Despite the challenges, the German professional continues to take pride in her status as a major champion. “I still carry that with me every week,” she says. “It’s something I’ll always celebrate.”
Her victory also shifted her perspective and ambitions. “After winning, I found myself even more motivated,” she explains. “Playing the Solheim Cup the following year was a huge goal of mine, and I felt like I put myself in contention a lot during those first two years. You’re riding a confidence high, pulling off shots you might otherwise think twice about, and that mindset carried me into the next few seasons.”
Yet golf is never a linear journey. Injuries and time away from the tour gave Popov a deeper understanding of the game’s demands. “Being away from the game for a while made me realise how volatile it is—not just your swing, but mentally too. The difference between shooting four or five under and even par is so slim. Watching tournaments from the outside gave me perspective and made me more disciplined and driven.”
A New Chapter: Motherhood
In 2023, Popov embraced a new and transformative role—motherhood. The experience has reshaped how she approaches both golf and life. “Motherhood has definitely changed me,” she says. “I’m more disciplined with my time because there’s less of it. Between recovering from delivery, which took six to eight months, and then finding a practice and tournament schedule, I realised what it takes to compete at this level while being a mum.”
For Popov, priorities are clear: “Being a mum is the most important thing to me. I would choose my daughter over golf every day. But when I come home, no matter how I played, I always have a smiling face waiting for me—someone who doesn’t care about golf, who loves me just the same. That perspective has been huge.”
Still, the balance isn’t without challenges. “The hardest part is the time aspect. I want to be fully present with my daughter when I’m home. That means planning my days carefully, finding the energy to be a professional golfer and then immediately shifting into being a mum. It’s draining at times, but I’ve learned to adjust—practising a little less one day, giving myself more recovery time another. It’s about being mindful and keeping that balance.”
Returning to Competition
Popov made her competitive return in 2024 at the ATS event in Tampa, Florida, a team format that provided the perfect re-entry. “What surprised me most was how natural it felt,” she recalls. “The first round back, it was like I hadn’t even been gone. My game was still there. The biggest difference was the sheer enjoyment—being out there, playing, appreciating the game again.”
Driving the Women’s Game Forward
Alongside her playing career, Popov is committed to helping women’s golf grow, both professionally and at the grassroots. She sees huge potential in business and community engagement. “There are so many opportunities—pro-ams, corporate golf days, bringing more women into the game by showing it’s just as much ours as it is men’s. Golf is an incredible tool for networking, socialising, and building relationships, and I think making those events fun and accessible will help grow the women’s side of the sport.”
Her commitment to this vision is one of the reasons she partnered with VOXA, the new female-focused golf agency. “I love that VOXA is solely about women—supporting each other in leadership, golf, and business. They’re not just about content but about creating real opportunities and events. For me, it’s about growing the women’s game, especially through junior golf, and VOXA shares that vision. I see a lot of potential not only during my playing career but also in what comes after.”
What excites her most is the agency’s presence and energy. “They show up. They’re organising events, creating content, building communities, and making golf accessible to women in all walks of life. It’s not just about professionals—it’s about anyone finding value in golf, connecting, and supporting one another. And it’s not just about women either—VOXA is involving men and women together in this bigger cause of pushing women’s sport forward. That inclusivity, that sense of coming together for something bigger than the game itself, is what makes me proud to be part of it.”
