OCTOBER 2ND BIRTHDAY TWINS POPOV, VAN DAM ADVANCE TO THE WEEKEND
It's not every day that a birthday is celebrated during tournament competition on the LPGA, let alone two birthdays. That was the case today at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer, as Sophia Popov and Anne van Dam marked another trip around the sun. To make the cake taste even sweeter, the two are best friends and have known each other since their early teenage years.

Not by coincidence at all, both players shot 3-under par this afternoon with five birdies, two bogeys and 11 pars.

“We’ve always been really good friends and I think this year is the first year when we are together on our birthday so we can actually celebrate,” said van Dam, who is tied for 10th at -7. “Before we’d always call each other first thing in the morning and just go, ‘What day is today?’ It is fun that we’re sharing this week together, going to grab some dinner and have a fun night.”

For Popov, after the whirlwind month since winning the AIG Women’s Open in late August, being in this moment is all she could have dreamed—playing competitively full-time on the LPGA and celebrating a special day with a dear friend.

“I tee it up now and am excited for the round instead of teeing it up and thinking about all the things I have to accomplish in order to get here,” said Popov, currently tied for 17th at -5. “Celebrating together, there’s nothing better than that. A couple months ago, we talked about wanting to travel together and spending more time together. We might have a drink or two, nothing crazy; we have to play tomorrow.”
Celine Boutier 2020 ShopRite Round Two

CELINE BOUTIER ENJOYS BOGEY-FREE SECOND ROUND AT SHOPRITE
“I cannot complain with the way I played today.”

Celine Boutier was certainly feeling stress-free after the second round at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she carded a bogey-free 65 to end the day tied for fourth at -9. Her 36-hole score of 132 is her lowest score on the LPGA Tour since the first round of the 2019 Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, where she eventually finished in a tie for ninth.

“I think my long game was really solid and I gave myself a lot of opportunities,” said Boutier, who hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation on Friday. “I didn't make all of them, but I felt like I had a bunch. So definitely ready to be able to know that I can go low on this course.”

Boutier said she didn’t know what to expect at Seaview this week, knowing the greens tend to be softer in the summer. The lack of wind was a surprise for her, and she feels the course plays a bit longer now in October. With two days under her belt, she said she’s starting to feel more confident attacking the Bay Course in only her second start in Atlantic County.

“I think I definitely missed a couple putts here and there. You cannot make all of them,” said Boutier. “I feel like, if I can stay the same consistency with my long game and just make a couple more putts, I'll be pretty satisfied.”

Popov, van Dam Celebrate October 2nd Birthday and More from ShopRite LPGA Classic

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