Linn Grant was able to make the most out of her debut in the U.S. Since turning pro nearly two years back, the former Arizona State golfer has played around the globe – and with great success – but was unable to compete in the U.S. because of COVID-19 regulations that require international visitors be fully vaccinated.
Grant was allowed to compete at the Ladies European Tour event held in West Palm Beach (Florida) last week, as the national health emergency ended earlier in the month. She advanced to the semi-finals of the Bank of Hope Match-Play in Las Vegas this weekend. Grant lost to Pajaree Annannarukarn in the final on Sunday morning. The Thai player will play Japan’s Ayaka Fuue in Sunday’s final.
Grant, currently ranked No. 22 in the world, missed out on the first major of the year in Texas as well as his chance to represent Sweden at Hanwha International Crown. Grant, who is currently No. 22 in the world rankings, missed out on the first major tournament of the year at Texas and the opportunity to represent Sweden in the Hanwha International Crown.
Grant competed on the LET for most of her LPGA rookie season last year. Last year, Grant won four times in the LET, including the Scandinavian Mixed where she defeated the men of the DP World Tour. She also won the Race to Costa del Sol.
Grant finished in the top eight four times during his six LPGA starts outside of the U.S. last season, including a T-19 finish at the AIG Women’s British Open.
She won the Jabra ladies open in Evian (France) earlier this month. Grant will return to Sweden soon to defend her title in the Scandinavian Mixed.
Grant, who qualified for the CME Group Tour Championship, the season’s final event, last November with a $2 million first prize and a $7 million purse but was not in the field, provided a statement that read:
I understand that some people are curious about why I don’t play in the U.S. Respectfully, I understand. It is because I have not been vaccinated. In return, I would like to be treated with the same respect. “It is something I would like to keep within my team and family.”
Grant was asked earlier this week, in Las Vegas during a new pre-tournament conference, what it felt to miss so many of the events as a rookie because of vaccine restrictions.
She said, “I regret not coming earlier.” “I don’t think I would have gained the confidence and experience that I did with the LET without that year.
“It was a good year to learn more about professional golf, my game, and to travel and get used to the things you need to get used too.
“I feel more prepared than I was a year earlier to come here. I believe that everything happens for good reason. “I think that there was a purpose for it.”
