The Ladies European Tour season concluded with a triumphant day for Swedish golf. Veteran Caroline Hedwall won the title for the first time since 2004. Three Swedes were the top of the season-long Race to Costa del Sol: 1) Linn grant 2) Maja Stark (3) Johanna Gustavvson.
Hedwall beat Morgane Metraux from Switzerland with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole of the Andalucia Costa del Sol Open de Espana. Grant finished third with a 65, and he is now at the top of the year-long rankings.
Grant said, “I am just relieved, I’m very happy.” This is huge for Swedish golf. Johanna at No. 3. Carro [Hedwall] has been a role model for me. To see her win and get that moment for herself is amazing.”
SWEET CAROLINE
Caroline Hedwall is the @Openfemenino champion, let the celebrations begin #RaiseOurGame | #OpenDeEspana pic.twitter.com/XHWYu7opvK
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf November 27, 2022
Hedwall, 33 years old, shot a bogey-free round of 67 Sunday to finish at 18 over Metraux won the Ladies Italian Open earlier in the season. She also shared fourth place at the Pelican Women’s Championship.
Hedwall stated, “I wasn’t sure I still had the ability to do it,” It’s great to pull it together and win. To be honest, it has been a rollercoaster ride. In 2014, I suffered a serious injury that made it difficult for me. It also affected my self-confidence. I was very proud of the win in 2018.
It was difficult during COVID-19. It was hard to travel as much, but it is now more normal. It feels great. It’s coming together very nicely and it was amazing to end with that.
Hedwall, a seven-time winner of the LET, said that next season’s goal is to make the 2023 Solheim Cup Team in Spain. She has appeared in four Solheim Cups before.
RACE TO COSTA DEL SIL NUMBER ONE
Linn Grant wins the #RaceToCostaDelSol, what an incredible season #RaiseOurGame pic.twitter.com/Qv4DhTb8SZ
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf November 27, 2022
Grant won the LET four times in 2022. This included the historic Scandinavian Mixed in which she defeated the men of the DP World Tour. Stark won the LET three times this season . This included the ISPS Handa World Invitational. It was a co-sanctioned event that she received immediate tour status. Stark, who played at Oklahoma State collegiately, placed 52nd on Race to CME Globe’s points list.
Grant was awarded LPGA status at Q-Series last year, but she was unable compete on U.S. soil due to her current vaccination status . The 56th place CME ranking placed Grant, a former ASU star, in LPGA events across the globe. Grant finished in six LPGA starts this year, scoring four top-eight finishes as well as a T-19 at AIG Women’s British Open.
For 2023, she will be a full LPGA member.
