It’s been an eventful week so far at the 2023 Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed with the home favourites reaping the rewards of having the Swedish backing at Ullna Golf and Country Club.
After two days of action in the co-sanctioned event with the DP World Tour, 13 Swedish players will see the weekend after making the cut which stood at level par.
This includes LET stars Elin Arvidsson, Linn Grant, Madelene Sagström, and Johanna Gustavsson, as well as invitee and world number one amateur Ingrid Lindblad, all of who are relishing the home support and embracing the fun in Stockholm.
“It’s so much fun to be here,” Arvidsson said, who leads the way within this group of Swedish women on four-under-par. “It’s fun to play, the course is in great shape, it’s a great challenge.
“I just enjoyed it. People keep asking me whether it’s fair or not, and I don’t know, I just keep hitting my shots and seeing what happens! It’s super fun to see the people that are here. I think it’s super cool they follow Linn, Alex [Noren], Madelene and Annika [Sorenstam] over the first two days.”
Competing in her first Swedish event in eight years, Sagström too is loving the home support this week as she lit up the putter on Friday to post a 69 (-3) and move into T28.
“It was fantastic,” Sagström said, who played alongside tournament host Sörenstam on Thursday and Friday. “I made a long putt on 9 which was great because there were a lot of people sitting there. It’s just awesome.
“The support for Annika and the support for me too being Swedish is just great. I felt very comfortable playing with her in general and it was super fun.
“It’s amazing being back [in Sweden]. I’m thinking I should come and do this again! But it’s been super fun, it just hasn’t really worked out over the past few years putting my focus in America so I’m just happy that it worked out this way. It’s really nice to come home and play in front of people that have never seen me play.”
Matching Sagström’s score in round two was Lindblad, who recently ascended to the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings following Rose Zhang’s decision to turn professional.
“It’s so fun that a lot of people are coming out,” the Louisiana State University star said. “Playing at home is always fun. There’s some pressure, but that’s also good.
“I feel like there was more pressure last year because I played in my hometown so there was a lot more people walking with me. But it’s fun playing here because it’s like a six to seven hour drive for me so you still have people that you know!”
The five Swedish female players who made the cut will now look to continue embracing the fun at Ullna Golf and Country Club and put on a show for their home fans with huge crowds expected over the weekend.
Follow all the action on @LETGolf on Instagram and Twitter and Ladies European Tour on Facebook and YouTube – #RaiseOurGame #ScandinavianMixed.
