The Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic saw some hot putters in the morning and hot temperatures in the afternoon. Things were heating up, literally and figuratively, as the first-round leader, Sophia Popov, signed her scorecard.

The Heidelberg, Germany native went bogey-free in the opening 18 holes at TPC Scottsdale's Champions Course, carding five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 8th. Popov called the round "boring," which to her is one of the best kinds of days on the golf course.

The LPGA Tour veteran has recently felt confident in her game, specifically her ball striking, but has yet to see the putts drop until today. But the biggest difference maker is her ability to stay in her home this weekend, as she resides about 20 minutes East in Fountain Hills, Ariz.

"I pay a lot of attention to my nutrition, so when I'm on the road, a lot of times we'll have Airbnb's because we want to cook. We want to make sure we know what's going in our bodies," said Popov. "And being home is the best spot because we know we have everything there. My meals don't change. There's a routine that I always have, and that's so nice to have it because on the road, you never know. Every Airbnb is different, every hotel is different, so just to know where you're going home to is awesome."

Popov, a mother to her almost two-year-old daughter, Maya, smiled big at the thought of hoisting another trophy on Mother's Day this Sunday. With 54 holes left to play in Scottsdale, the 32-year-old will keep that thought in her back pocket while on the golf course, sticking to her game plan.

"Obviously, a dream come true if that happens. You know, it's a little bit in the back of my mind, but I try not to think about it," said Popov. "I honestly wanna just take it day by day, swing by swing, really, because I think that what I've been lacking in the last few weeks is just to take it one step at a time. And just being home, and knowing I can play some good golf, is already helping. If I stay patient, take it one shot at a time, I have a good chance, and obviously, it would be the nicest finish to win on Mother's Day."

Four athletes find themselves close behind Popov at 6-under. Sophia Schubert, Liqi Zeng, Hailee Cooper and Melanie Green will try to track down the LPGA Tour Major Champion on Friday and move further away from the cut line of the top 60 and ties. The second round is set to begin at 7 a.m. local time, with athletes teeing off Nos. 1 and 10 of TPC Scottsdale's Champions Course.

LPGA Tour Veteran Sophia Popov Leads at Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic

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