SOLHEIM CUP

September 4, 2021

Sophia Popov

Carlota Ciganda

Inverness Club

Team Europe

Quick Quotes

Q. It was a great match, a tough match; how would you describe your match?

SOPHIA POPOV: Yeah, I think we actually played really well. I think ball-striking wise both of us had a very good day. I think we made quite a few putts, but we didn't make the key putts in the key moments. Kudos to them, they played really well and they made those putts when it was necessary.

Finishing up with a birdie on a not very easy pin position was extremely good for Lizette, and yeah, it's unfortunate because I felt like we deserved the win today, but it is what it is. That's how match play goes.

Q. Did you feel a lot of pressure putting?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: I mean, it's match play. Of course you want to make the putts. Lizette and Kupcho, they are great players. Lizette has a lot of experience, is a great putter.

As Sophia said, we started great. In the first eight holes we were 5-under; I think that's great playing. We didn't make any bogeys.

On the back nine we had a few chances. I think my putt on 17, that's key, because we go 1-up and you have the last hole to play, and Sophia played great. First match, first Solheim Cup, she started a little shaky, then she hit great shots. She was comfortable, making great putts. We played good.

Sometimes it goes this way. Hopefully we can win the last match -- I mean, we are winning the day, so that's really good.

Q. After you made your birdie towards the end and you pulled off a great shot on 17, how inspired were you? How motivated were you to go on the last hole?

CARLOTA CIGANDA: Yeah, we are always inspired. We always want to make birdies, hit good shots. That was a shame. I have to make that putt every day because you go 1-up and then you can't lose the match. I don't think it's easy to make putts on these greens. They are quite slopey, they are quite fast, downhill, slow uphill.

Hopefully tomorrow the pace is better and we can make a few more putts and win the point for Europe.

Q. How would you say your kind of duel went, because you're a rookie?

SOPHIA POPOV: Honestly it's very much how Carlota explained it. I came off to a little bit of a shaky start. It's my first Solheim Cup. I was definitely nervous the first few holes.

I hit two great shots on 2 and that kind of calmed me down, and I think starting on No. 4 on I was playing very good golf. I feel like -- I don't even know if I made any bogeys, and just made a couple very good putts and hit it really close on 16, which was key.

I think once I got comfortable and I settled in, it's always easier to play with someone like Chiggy because she calmed me down; she's a veteran. She hit some great shots throughout the whole round that kind of calmed me down because I know if I'm not in, she's in.

And then towards the end I wanted to have her back when it was the opposite way, too. I think it was a great way, honestly, to get into the Solheim Cup. I feel good. I'm excited to go into tomorrow's matches. I loved every minute of playing with Chiggy. She's awesome. I think if we play like that again, I think it's going to be tough to beat us.