LPGA

Sophia Popov (Pro V1) won the Women’s British Open in fairy tale fashion, posting an emotional two-shot victory at Royal Troon. The win was the first LPGA Tour title for Popov, and her first major championship crown in just her fourth appearance. She qualified for the Women’s British Open via a top-10 finish two weeks ago at the Marathon Classic.

Popov, who owned a three-shot overnight lead, carded a closing 3-under 68 en route to a 7-under par 277 victory total, two clear of Jasmine Suwannapura (Pro V1x) for a Titleist 1-2 finish. This marked the first women's major of a pandemic-disrupted year.

Titleist was the overwhelming favorite golf ball with over 84% (121) of the 144-player field trusting a Pro V1 or Pro V1x, more than 15 times the next closest brand with eight. Titleist golf ball players have accounted for five wins through the first eight events this season, more than twice the nearest competitor with two. 

CHAMPIONS

Shane Bertsch (Pro V1) eagled the first hole of a four-man playoff to win the Charles Schwab Series at Bass Pro Shops Big Cedar Lodge in just his second PGA Tour Champions start. Bernhard Langer (Pro V1) and Kenny Perry (Pro V1x) were included in the playoff after rallying from a four shot deficit to start the final round to finish tied with Bertsch at 13-under par 200 for the 54-hole event.

The 50-year-old Bertsch was a three-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour. He won the senior qualifying tournament last year to earn his PGA TOUR Champions card. He made his senior debut three weeks ago with a tie for 45th in The Ally Challenge.

Titleist was the overwhelming favorite golf ball with over 77% (63) of the 81-player field trusting a Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf ball, more than six times the next closest golf ball brand with 10. Titleist golf ball players have accounted for 5 wins through the first eight events this season.

The Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National will start Monday this week.

KOREA

Defending champion TaeHee Lee (Pro V1x, Vokey Design sand and lob wedges) captured the GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship, becoming the first back-to-back champion in the 39 years of the event. It was the fourth career Korean Tour title for Lee, who closed with a 3-under 67 en route to a 11-under 199 victory total.

Titleist Brand Ambassador MinGyu Cho (Pro V1x, TS3 driver, TS2 fairway metals, 915H hybrid, U500 utility iron, 718 CB irons, SM8 pitching, gap and lob wedges) shared second place, one shot behind Lee. SangHun Shin (Pro V1x, TS3 driver, TS3 and TS2 fairway metals, T100 utility irons, 620CB irons, Vokey Design SM8 gap and lob wedges, Scotty Cameron Special Select Newport putter) shared 4th place with four players, including overnight leader and KyungNam Kang (Pro V1).

Lee topped a leaderboard that included nine Titleist golf ball players among the 12 who finished inside the Top 10 and ties. In addition to being the top choice in golf balls with 92 players (73%) in the field of 126, Titleist was the field favorite in drivers (52/42%), irons (54/43%) and wedges (224/66%).