Australian golfer Daniel Popovic has been feeling a bit like the 40-year-old virgin in recent times.
But he’s hoping for a happy ending when he tees off at the final stage of European Tour qualifying school in Spain, starting November 10.
Popovic has endured a tough time on tour since winning the Australian PGA Championship last December.
In 12 tournaments this year, the 27-year-old has missed seven cuts, with his best finish a tie for 18th at last month’s Perth International.
Popovic spent much of this year in Europe, and it proved to be the loneliest period of his life.
A recent move back home into his parents’ house rejuvenated his spirits, and also allowed him to spend more quality time with his father Radi, who is battling terminal bone cancer.
But moving back home also has some down sides.
“I’m a 27-year-old single guy living at home with my parents. It feels a bit like the 40-year-old Virgin movie,” Popovic jokes.
“You can’t bring girls back anymore, and my mum tells me I have to be home at a certain hour.
“But it has its perks, like mum’s cooking and washing.”
Radi’s ongoing battle with cancer has been a constant source of inspiration for Popovic.
Should the world No.495 secure a European Tour card for next year, his parents are coming with him.
“My dad hasn’t been back overseas since he moved to Australia roughly 45 years ago,” Popovic says.
“Last year he wasn’t looking flash at all. Then at the start of this year with the winnings I earned from the PGA victory, I got some really good doctors to look after him.
“He’s doing OK. Like anyone suffering from cancer his condition isn’t fantastic, but he’s still living his life and doing things that normal people do.”
Popovic says his father is still happy, and still full of positive vibes for him.
“He’s the most inspirational person in my life, just seeing what he’s going through and how he does it all with a smile on his face,” he said.
“And he’s still the rock in the family for my mum and myself.”
Popovic was just 11 when his dad introduced him to golf.
The pair enjoyed plenty of fun times over the years, as well as a few hairy moments.
“I still remember driving the golf cart into the tree,” Popovic says with a laugh.
“And a few years later he had to pull me out of the lake after I fell in trying to retrieve a ball.
“He was a good golfer himself.
“He taught me my first swing. And then he let me go my own way and I got some good coaches and good guidance.”
European Tour school commitments means Popovic won’t be able to defend his Australian PGA crown on the Gold Coast this week.
It was a fixture clash that left Popovic devastated.
But that devastation will turn into utter joy if Popovic can secure his European Tour card by finishing in the top-25 during the six-round qualifying event at the PGA Catalunya course in Girona, Spain.
Popovic struggled being so far away from family and friends during his time in Europe this year.
But if he can secure a tour card – which would guarantee him starts in most of Europe’s biggest golf events – he hopes the presence of his family will help him have more success.
“Being away from home has been the biggest hurdle, and also not having a friend to hang around with,” Popovic says.
“You have breakfast by yourself, you practise at the course by yourself, and you have dinner by yourself.
“You’re dong everything by yourself. That was the hardest thing for me.
“I miss my family so much when I’m away.
“If I get on the European Tour, they’ll definitely come over with me.”
