Last year Caroline Hedwall ended her winning drought by triumphing in a four-hole playoff at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.
The Swede produced rounds of 70-68-69-64 to put herself in a playoff alongside Switzerland’s Morgane Metraux.
But it took four holes for the pair to be separated with Hedwall finally clinching victory with a birdie putt.
“It was just a great week for me,” she said. “I hadn’t won since 2018, the win meant so much to me and just the way it played out too making that putt in the playoff. It took forever, but it was well worth it.”
Securing the win at Alferini Golf in front of European Solheim Cup captain Suzann Pettersen was an important moment for Hedwall.
And she reflects that it was probably at that time when Pettersen first thought about the Swede getting a pick for the 2023 edition of the competition which she went on to be part of.
She continued: “It was probably from that moment that I even got on Suzann’s mind to even be a pick for Solheim. It meant so much and I seem to just like playing in Spain. I enjoy it a lot over here.”
With the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España taking place at Real Club de Golf Las Brisas this year – the defending champion has a different course to contend with.
However, Hedwall is excited for the week ahead having gained so many good memories from playing in Spain.
She explained: “The grass is fairly similar, but it is a new course. I really like this course; I’m looking forward to the week again and it looks like we’re going to have great weather.
“It’s good to hit fairways and greens and make putts, but I think the tee shots are important and being in a good position off of the tee will be key this week.”
Despite not claiming a win this season, Hedwall has had some decent results with fifth place at the Helsingborg Open, T6 at the Women’s Scottish Open and T4 at last week’s Mallorca Ladies Open.
Her big highlight of the season was of course the 2023 Solheim Cup, but she believes she has been playing better than the results reflect.
“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” she added. “Looking back, Solheim has definitely been the highlight. I also had a good week in Scotland. I feel like I played better than the results, but that’s just golf and hopefully, I can finish off strong this week.
“My game has felt pretty decent this season, but I haven’t put in any good results until last week. There I felt at least I got a decent result. It is what is. Golf is just complicated sometimes, and I think you have to stay patient and hopefully, I put myself in contention and give myself a chance to win.”
Hedwall will begin her title defence in the final group at 12.01 pm local time on Thursday alongside Thailand’s Trichat Cheenglab and France’s Celine Boutier – who sit as number one and two in the Race to Costa del Sol.
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