It was this time last year when Jonathan Caldwell sealed a childhood dream by winning on the DP World Tour.
A final round of 64 (-8) saw the Northern Irishman set the clubhouse target of 17-under-par and despite Adrian Otaegui and Alice Hewson coming close, no one could over take Caldwell as he recorded a one-shot victory.
Reminiscing on the memories from Vallda Golf and Country Club, the 37-year-old was thrilled he had finally made it into the winner’s circle.
“I have been thinking about last year a little bit, obviously we are at a different venue this year, a beautiful venue mind you, but it would have been lovely to go back to where I won last year,” said Caldwell. “I will try and get it out of my head on Thursday morning when I need to get back to playing golf.
“Obviously lots of satisfaction. It was a dream come true from being a small kid at home, to then win on Tour, to do it and feel that, not the relief but the excitement of winning and knowing that you can do it and compete was hugely satisfying.
“It gave me that belief that I could win. My form hasn’t been great since, I haven’t given myself too many chances to win, but knowing that I have done it under the pressure of having a chance and having been able to see it out gives me great belief.”
The Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed is a co-sanctioned event between the LET and DP World Tour and it sees 78 men and 78 women playing for the same prize fund of US $2 million and one trophy with Henrik Stenson and Sörenstam as hosts.
Halmstad Golf Club, which hosted the 2007 Solheim Cup, is this year’s venue and despite not being in the best of form Caldwell is hoping to turn it around this week.
“I am feeling good. I would like my form to be a bit better but hopefully I can remember the good vibes from last year and find my game this week,” he continued.
“Recently I had a shoulder injury over Christmas, I got no practice in at all over Christmas and came out to compete. Worked pretty hard with physios and what not at home to get ready to play in the desert swing, and I just haven’t been performing early on or had anything go my way really so far this year, so hopefully this week we can turn it around.
“It is great to be able to play against the girls and the prize money is up this year, so I think the field has got stronger, and hopefully the course stands up for both men and women and they get the setup correct, and we can have a good battle with the ladies. We can compete together and hopefully it comes down to a man and a woman on Sunday fighting it out for the event.”
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #ScandinavianMixed.
