Annika Sörenstam is back for the third edition of the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed which is taking place at Ullna Golf Club.
The tournament host is delighted with how the past two editions have gone and the fact there has been one male and one female winner.
Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell clinched a one-shot victory in 2021 with England’s Alice Hewson finishing as the top female in third place.
While last year saw Sweden’s Linn Grant produce a dominant nine-stroke victory to become the first female winner on the DP World Tour.
“Overall, the feedback is super positive,” said the 17-time LET winner. “I know that the players are enjoying either playing with the men or the men playing with the women, I think it’s a great concept and I think it’s sparked some interest the last few years.
“The course has been set up really well every time we have played and you can see that in the results. The first year you had a male winner and last year we had a female winner, and it shows there is competition out there. It’s exciting, and it’s good to have it here in Sweden.”
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.
Ullna Golf Club, which is just north of the Swedish capital Stockholm, is the venue for this week’s tournament and boasts stunning views of Lake Ullna.
Sörenstam, who is from the surrounding area, is pleased to be back in Sweden and teeing it up this week.
She explained: “Absolutely, it’s great that it’s here and to come back to the Stockholm area which is where I’m from and have this beautiful course, this venue and this weather, and the people.
“The feedback has been fantastic from many of the players and caddies etc and obviously it’s teamwork and the people behind the scenes have done an excellent job. Whether it’s the golf course, organisation, set-up, it’s been fabulous, so we look forward to a wonderful week.”
Last year at Halmstad, the golfing legend played alongside eventual champion Grant in the first two rounds of the tournament.
And Sörenstam was impressed by the way the then LET rookie handled herself especially at the weekend and in front of a home crowd.
“It was amazing in a lot of ways,” she added. “I think we were all impressed by her performance. Everyone can play well for a day or two, but then the weekend came and she was in the last group and she literally somehow found another gear.
“Then it was Sunday and she found another gear and it was just really impressive to see how she handled the pressure and how she represented the game. Obviously, to be a Swedish player and play in front of the home crowd I’m sure she felt the pressure, but you couldn’t tell. She was really dominant and I’m very happy for her.”
Sörenstam will be teeing it up in the first round alongside fellow Swede and Solheim Cup star Madelene Sagström and four-time DP World Tour winner Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain at 8.00 am local time from the 10th tee.
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #ScandinavianMixed.
