July 26, 2010

USC incoming freshman Sophia Popov held off three charging competitors to secure a three-stroke win at the 2010 International European Ladies Amateur Championship in the Czech Republic's Kunětická Hora G.C. on Saturday (July 24).

Popov, from Germany, finished at 8-under 280 (69-69-69-73), using three consecutive 3-under rounds for momentum heading into the final round.

Said Popov after the win: "It's just indescribable. I can not even grasp, I am so happy and would like to thank my coach, my parents, our coaches and all the girls."

Meanwhile, USC incoming transfer Lisa McCloskey, a two-time All-American at Pepperdine the past two seasons, reached the final of the 108th Women's North & South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst (N.C.) on Saturday before falling to Auburn's Cydney Clanton, 3 and 1, in a 36-hole final.

McCloskey also reached the final of the U.S. Women's Public Links earlier this summer and made the cut at the 2010 U.S. Open as well, tying for 62nd overall.