Anna Nordqvist Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Lexi Thompson’s former caddie, Kevin McAlpine, dies suddenly at 39

Clarkwin — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 08:03:44 +0000

Kevin McAlpine, the Scottish caddie who worked for Lexi Thompson among others, has died suddenly at age 39.

McAlpine’s dad, Hamish, a former Scottish football star, confirmed his son’s unexpected death while speaking to The Courier.

“We can confirm that Kevin has passed away in America. We are completely in the dark about what has happened. It is true that he has been unwell but we believed he was on the mend.

“There is to be an autopsy and at the moment there is very little we can say. We really don’t want to talk about this at this stage. As a family we are completely devastated. You can imagine how we are feeling.”

McAlpine had also been married to LPGA star Anna Nordqvist. But the three-time major champion revealed in August that the two were going through a divorce. According to Bunkered, Nordqvist has withdrawn from this week’s BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea to fly back to the U.S.

McAlpine was a Scottish Amateur champion, who played collegiately at Colorado State University. After failing to make it as a pro, he briefly took a job as a sales rep before getting into caddying and landing Lexi’s bag in 2017.

The two worked together for 18 months until parting ways ahead of the 2018 CME Group Championship. That time included Thompson’s controversial four-shot penalty, which cost her the 2017 ANA Inspiration.

McAlpine was also on the bag for Amy Yang as well as PGA Tour winner and fellow countryman, Martin Laird.

Main image: Lexi Thompson holds the Solheim Cup with her caddie Kevin McAlpine after the closing ceremony at the 2017 Solheim Cup. David Cannon

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Everything you need to know about Suzann Pettersen’s four European Solheim Cup captain’s picks

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 06:39:42 +0000

Emily Kristine Pedersen. ASLI

Suzann Pettersen has announced her four captain’s picks to round out the home team that’s trying to win an unprecedented third straight Solheim Cup for Europe next month in Spain. Much like the eight automatic qualifiers who locked up their spots two days earlier, Pettersen chose experience along with a fresh face, taking one rookie (Gemma Dryburgh) and three veterans (Madelene Sagstrom, Caroline Hedwal and Emily Kristine Pedersen). With the matches set for Finca Cortesin Resort in just four weeks (September 22-24), here’s what you need to know about the newest members of Europe’s Solheim Cup squad.

Madelene Sagstrom

Madelene Sagstrom. Jack Thomas

This is the 30-year-old’s third Solheim Cup, though it’ll be the first time she’ll play the event in Europe. The Swede was a stand-out on the Epson Tour, winning three times in 2016 and earning her LPGA Tour card for the 2017 season. She has won once on the LPGA Tour and is currently ranked No. 42 in the Rolex World Rankings. Her overall Solheim Cup record is 2-4-0.

Emily Kristine Pedersen

Emily Kristine Pedersen. Charlie Crowhurst/R&A

This is Pedersen’s third Solheim Cup as well and her first start in Europe, too. You may remember her as the player who holed the winning put for the Europeans when they closed out their upset victory at Inverness Club in 2021. The 27-year-old Dane has won five LET events in her career, including four in 2020 alone. Notably, she is one of the longest hitters on the LPGA Tour, averaging 273 yards off the tee. Her career Solheim Cup record is 3-4-0.

Caroline Hedwall

Caroline Hedwall. Getty Images

Hedwall is the most experienced of Pettersen’s picks, set to make her fifth appearance. The 34-year-old Swede who was a stand-out at Oklahoma State who played 10 years on the LPGA Tour but never claimed a title. She does have seven wins on the Ladies European Tour, the most recent coming late last year at the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España — which was played about an hour from the 2023 Solheim Cup site.
“Having great memories from the end of last year in Andalucía, I hadn’t thought much about Solheim until I won and after that, it was a goal for the season,” Hedwall said. “I’m just really happy it became a reality and super pumped to play in Spain again.”
Her career Solheim Cup record is 8-6-1.

Gemma Dryburgh

Gemma Dryburgh. David Cannon

This is Dryburgh’s first Solheim Cup, though she has experience in team play, having competed in the 2014 Curtis Cup. The 30-year-old Scot played college golf at Tulane before turning professional in 2015. In 2022, she won the Toto Japan Classic, her first LPGA victory. She will make a good foursomes partner as she is one of the most accurate drivers of the golf ball on the LPGA Tour, hitting more than 82 pe rcent of fairways in the 2023 season.

Team Europe’s complete roster for the 2023 Solheim Cup

Celine Boutier
Maja Stark
Charley Hull
Leona Maguire
Georgia Hall
Linn Grant
Carlota Ciganda
Anna Nordqvist
Gemma Dryburgh
Caroline Hedwall
Emily Kristine Pedersen
Madelene Sagstrom

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Rooting for Europe at next month’s Solheim Cup? You had to be happy with how qualifying just shook out

Golf Digest Middle East — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 08:14:05 +0000

Maddie Meyer

The end of the ISPS Handa World Invitational also marked the end of the qualifying period for Europe’s Solheim Cup roster. All eight players in line for automatic spots heading into the week held their places, as the Ladies European Tour announced on Sunday that Celine Boutier and Maja Stark earned their way on to the team through LET Solheim points. Charley Hull, Leona Maguire, Georgia Hall, Linn Grant, Carlota Ciganda and Anna Nordqvist claimed the remaining six qualifying spots from their placement in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings.

Six of the eight qualifiers have previous experience in the Solheim Cup, with Boutier, Hull, Maguire, Hall and Nordqvist playing for the victorious European team at Inverness Club in 2021. Stark and Grant are the two rookies to qualify, each winning their first-ever LPGA events during the qualifying period. Stark won the 2022 ISPS Handa World Invitational last season, and Grant won the Dana Open in July.

“I’m very happy with my team right now,” said European captain Suzann Pettersen via a release, the biennial competition set for Sept. 22-24 at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia, Spain with the Europeans looking to win for a third straight clash, something they haven’t done since the start of the competition in 1990. “Congratulations to the eight players who have automatically qualified, we have so much experience in the team, and it’s great to have our rookies Maja and Linn representing Europe for the first time. We have never had such a strong group of players in terms of world ranking. The European players have been playing well this year and putting in strong performances across the board.”

Congratulations to the eight players who have qualified for the ???????? ??????? ??? ???? ???

Boutier ??
Stark ??
Hull ???????
Maguire ??
Hall ???????
Grant ??
Ciganda ??
Nordqvist ??#TeamEurope | #SolheimCup

— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) August 20, 2023

Boutier led the points list with a commanding European swing, winning the Amundi Evian Championship and the Women’s Scottish Open in back-to-back weeks starting at the end of July. The 29-year-old from France will be playing in her third Solheim Cup, having impressively earned 5.5 of a possible seven points combined in 2019 and 2021.

Outside of Grant, the Rolex Rankings group has played in a combined 21 Solheim Cups, with Nordqvist (who is also serving as a vice captain) leading the way with seven consecutive cups dating back to 2009.

“I’m very proud to be taking on vice-captaincy and playing this year,” Nordqvist said. “I don’t think it’s a secret how much I love the Solheim Cup and it brings out the best in me. It’s always my biggest goal every two years to make the team and try to help Europe win.”

Pettersen will fill out the remaining spots on her 12-player roster on Tuesday when she announces her four captain’s picks. The United States end their automatic qualifying period after next week’s CPKC Canadian Open, with only four of the nine spots already locked up (Lilia Vu, Nelly Korda, Allisen Corpuz and Megan Khang). US captain Stacy Lewis then will name her three captain’s picks afterward.

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2026 Solheim Cup to be held at Bernardus, Netherlands

Matt Smith — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:44:08 +0000

The Solheim Cup will be held at Bernardus in the Netherlands in 2026

By GolfDigestME.com
Bernardus, close to Eindhoven in the Southern Netherlands, has been revealed as the host venue for the 2026 Solheim Cup.

Bernardus opened in 2018 and the Kyle Phillips-designed Championship course has hosted the Dutch Open on the DP World Tour on two occasions (2021, 2022) and will host it again in 2023.

Speaking after the announcement on Tuesday, Solheim Cup Team Europe star Anna Nordqvist said: “Playing in the Solheim Cup is an experience in the world and nothing beats that feeling. It is the event that all players want to play in and congratulations to Bernardus and the Netherlands on this appointment.

“To have a Solheim Cup in the Netherlands in central Europe will be so central to many fans across the continent and it will be an event like no other.”

Two-time Team Europe champion captain Catriona Matthew added: “As Anna said, walking on to that first tee is an experience like no other.

“Bernardus is special. The food is great! But I have played the course and is plays a bit like a links course and there will be a lot of risk-reward holes and that’s what the fans want to come and see.

“It is great to see the Solheim Cup go around Europe and hopefully grow the game for all the young girls and boys out there.”

Robert van der Wallen, the owner of Bernardus added: “We are very excited to be hosting the Solheim Cup in 2026 and to partner with the Royal Dutch Golf Federation, IMG, the LET and LPGA. The opportunity to host such a globally significant sports event is a huge honour for our whole team. Experience is what we are all about at Bernardus and our preparations are already underway to ensure we play our part in providing the stage to host a best-in-class Solheim Cup experience in September 2026.”

With more than 420,000 golfers, golf is the fourth most popular sport in the Netherlands and this number is still growing. Caroline Huyskes, president of the Royal Netherlands Golf Federation and president-elect of the EGA, added: “I am proud that the Solheim Cup is coming to the Netherlands. This event contributes to the NGF strategy aimed at attracting women and rejuvenating the sport in our country. The fact that we have been able to bring one of the largest women’s sports tournaments in the world to the Netherlands is a re-flection of our ambition and drive.”

This will be the first edition run in partnership with IMG who were appointed by the LET as the delivery partner of the European Solheim Cup for an initial commitment from 2026 through to the end of 2038.

The appointment of IMG came on the back of delivering the most successful European Solheim Cup to date in 2019 in partnership with Visit Scotland seeing over 90,000 spectators attend the match at Gleneagles and millions watching the broadcast around the world.

Alexandra Armas, Chief Executive of the Ladies European Tour, representing the LET JV, said, “Working with IMG, we believe that in Bernardus and the NGF, we have identified the ideal partner for the 2026 Solheim Cup in what will be the 20th edition of the match. Their vision and commitment align perfectly with ours and the course and facilities, as well as the NGF’s inclusive ambitions for the nation, will deliver a fantastic experience for players, community and fans alike.”

The 2023 Solheim Cup will take place in Finca Cortesin, in Spain on September 22-24, and the 2024 Solheim Cup, September 10-15, at the Robert Trent Jones course in Virginia, US.

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With two events remaining, top players vie for entry into LPGA’s Tour Championship

Golf Digest Middle East — Thu, 03 Nov 2022 06:44:10 +0000

By Keely Levins
There’s a lot on the line this week at the LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic, set for November 3-6 at Seta Golf Course in Shiga. Only two opportunities remain for players to earn points necessary to play in the CME Group Tour Championship. Players gain entry into the Tour Championship field November 17-20 via a season-long points race, with the top 60 and ties earning a spot at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida. The no-cut event has a $7 million purse, the fourth largest on tour, with a $1.5 million first-place prize money payout.

With only two events left before the championship, players on the bubble have a lot to gain, or lose, in Japan.

The Race to the CME Globe is all about points, with winners of LPGA events earning 500 points. A second-place finish is worth 320 points, third gets 230 points, fourth place receives 180 points and on down the line. Majors are weighted 30 per cent more than the rest of the schedule.

As Ariya Jutanugarn found out at the BMW Ladies Championship two weeks ago, a top-10 finish can change everything. Jutanugarn finished in seventh place and moved from 65th place on the points list to 58th. She won the Race to the CME Globe in both 2016 and 2018.

Beyond the former World No. 1, other big names are lingering right around the coveted 60th-place mark. Anna Nordqvist and Stacy Lewis are in 56th and 57th place respectively, though Lewis is not in the field in Japan. Outside the top 60 are more recent Solheim Cup team members Matilda Castren (65) Brittany Altomare (67), Angel Yin (74) and Yealimi Noh (77). Of these players, only Altomare is not in the field in Japan.

A fan favourite, Maria Fassi, is also one top finish away from breaking into the top 60. She sits at 69th on the points list and is competing in Japan this week.

For players a bit farther down the CME points list, the pressure is just as high. The top 100 players on the list will retain their LPGA cards for next year, so if they’re able to stay within the top 100, they can avoid a trip to Q-School. Brittany Lincicome, former World No. 1 Sung Hyun Park, tour-winner Amy Olson and major champ Sophia Popov are all notable players currently outside the top 100. Though none of these players are in the field in Japan, the Pelican Women’s Championship in Florida from November 10-13 will be their last chance to score points before the end of the season.

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Anna Nordqvist, Laura Davies and Caroline Martens named Vice-Captains by Suzann Petersen for 2023 European Solheim Cup defence

Matt Smith — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 08:51:05 +0000

2023 Solheim Cup Captain Suzann Pettersen, 2nd From Left, with vice-Captains, Anna Nordqvist, Caroline Martens and Laura Davies. Tristan Jones/LET

By Matt Smith
Laura Davies is ready to provide a wealth of knowledge and experience to Team Europe for their Solheim Cup defence at Finca Cortesín, Andalucía, next September.

European Solheim Cup Captain Suzann Pettersen on Tuesday named Anna Nordqvist, Laura Davies and Caroline Martens as her three vice-captains for the 2023 Solheim Cup. The trio have been selected to work alongside the Norwegian and will each bring different skills, knowledge and experience to the backroom team ahead of the prestigious biennial contest where Europe will be seeking their third consecutive victory.

“It was the biggest honour of my career to be named the Solheim Cup Captain and I’m thrilled to be able to name my three Vice-Captains,” said Pettersen. “I’m excited for what Caroline, Anna and Laura can bring to Team Europe as we look to defend the Cup on Spanish soil in the Costa del Sol. With all three of them by my side, I couldn’t ask for anything better and I’m certain that they will be great for our team.”

Three-time Major champion Nordqvist is no stranger to the Solheim Cup having played in the last seven editions of the tournament from 2009 to 2021, being on the winning side four times and clinching 15.5 points for Team Europe during that time.

Nordqvist, who recently won the 2022 Big Green Egg Open on the LET, shared the fairways with Pettersen many times and they teamed up in the fourballs at the 2009 and 2011 Solheim Cups with the duo winning each of their contests.

While Davies brings a wealth of experience to Team Europe having made 12 appearances in the competition, as well as being a Vice-Captain at the 2019 and 2021 editions alongside Catriona Matthew.

The legend of the game has achieved golfing accolades all over the globe with 87 tournament wins including 45 Ladies European Tour titles and 20 LPGA Tour titles, as well as winning a record seven LET Order of Merit titles.

Pettersen has chosen fellow Norwegian and lifelong friend Caroline Martens to be part of her backroom staff for the coveted contest against the United States.

Martens played on the Ladies European Tour for eight seasons winning the 2013 LET Q-School, which was played in Marrakech, Morocco, by eight shots.

“The Solheim Cup holds some of my best golfing memories and to be able to share that with my lifelong friend Caroline will be something very special,” Pettersen said. “She goes the extra mile for her friends and family, and I cannot wait have her alongside me and my other Vice-Captains.

“Laura is a global golfing legend. Her passion and knowledge for women’s golf and particularly the Solheim Cup is something we share. I loved working her last year in Toledo and I’m happy to have her in the team room once again.

“I have been fortunate to share many fairways and memories alongside Anna throughout my career. Having represented Team Europe on seven occasions, Anna is someone who knows the hard work that goes into the Solheim Cup, and I can’t wait for her to be with me.”

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Solheim Cup heroes to join Nelly and Jessica Korda at star-studded Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande

Matt Smith — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 09:49:05 +0000

Bronte Law. ATS

By Matt Smith
The Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande is shaping up to be the ultimate teaser for the 2023 Solheim Cup, with a host of big-name Europeans joining the likes of US stars Nelly and Jessica Korda on the Spanish coast next month.

Triple-major-winner Anna Nordqvist of Sweden leads the latest big names announced for the $1million tournament, where the hero of the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles – England’s Bronte Law – will also compete.

They will be joined by Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew, plus fellow legend Laura Davies. Nanna Koertz Madsen of Denmark and Matilda Castren of Finland – both 2021 Solheim Cup-winning rookies – will also play, as will Team Europe alumni, Anne Van Dam of the Netherlands.

Alison Lee

+Caroline Masson, a regular mainstay on the European Solheim Cup team with four appearances in the last 10 years, is another star name to commit to Sotogrande, alongside AIG Women’s Open champion and fellow German, Sophia Popov.

At La Reserva Club, located just 20km from Finca Cortesin, host venue of next year’s Solheim Cup, that European field will come up against a US pack led by the Korda sisters — former world No. 1 Nelly and six-time LPGA winner Jessica — and featuring the likes of defending Aramco Team Series — Sotogrande individual champion Alison Lee, Lindsey Weaver-Wright and record-breaker Kelly Whaley, whose eight birdies in a row during competition play earlier this year set a new LET benchmark.

The Aramco Team Series returns to Spain with its mixed team and individual format for the second year in a row, taking place August 18-20.

Bronte Law, who claimed the individual title at last month’s Aramco Team Series London event, said: “It should be quite the week. These Aramco Team Series events are so different to the golf we usually play. There’s something about competing both as a team and as a solo golfer at the same time that I feel almost brings out the best in a lot of us, so I can’t wait to get out on that first tee and under way in another one next month.

“The quality of the field really does speak for itself. I think some of us would be lying if we said we won’t be thinking about being back in this part of the world a year later for the Solheim. It’ll be a chance for quite a number of the players competing to go out and show what they’re made of and I’m looking forward to it.”

Matthew — who Law has chosen as her captain’s pick at no fewer than three previous Aramco Team Series events — said: “When the ATS events were first added to the LET calendar last year, we were told they wanted to try to raise women’s golf as best they could. I don’t think anyone can argue in saying that they really have done that and then some.

“Every tournament comes with a real air of grandeur, they are so well organised and the prize money is obviously fantastic, too. But it’s the golf side of it that I think us as players enjoy the most. Playing as a team is something we do rarely but is a format that brings so much added excitement and opportunity, for us as players and for those watching live or on TV. The vibe of these events in particular is so different, and we really love being part of them.”

Further big names announced include Australian Steph Kyriacou, Pia Babnik of Slovenia and Linn Grant of Sweden, who is currently sitting second in the LET’s Race to Costa del Sol rankings and in June became the first ever woman to win on the men’s DP World Tour with victory in the Volvo Scandinavian Mixed.

They will join a packed field that will also feature a host of Spanish stars, including Solheim Cup hero Carlota Ciganda, rising talent Ana Peláez Triviño, Nuria Iturrioz and Carmen Alonso.

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Amundi Evian Championship: Round 1 timings and pairings

Matt Smith — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 09:28:30 +0000

By Matt Smith
The cream of women’s golf arrive at Evian-les-Bains for the year’s penultimate major this week, the Amundi Evian Championship, as the likes of Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Hyo-Joo Kim, Jeongeun Lee6, Leona Maguire, Minjee Lee, Jin Young Ko, Anna Nordqvist, In Gee Chun, Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda and Atthaya Thitikul vie for the record $6.5 million purse.

Jin Young Ko

Here are Thursday’s full tee times and pairings
Hole 1
07.15
Agathe Laisne (FRA)
Sophia Schubert (USA)
Jennifer Chang (USA)
07.27
Lauren Stephenson (USA)
Gemma Dryburgh (SCO)
Wichanee Meechai (THA)
07.39
Alana Uriell (USA)
Ruixin Liu (CHN)
Chella Choi (KOR)
07.51
Wei Ling Hsu (TPE)
Benedetta Moresco (ITA)
Bronte Law (ENG)
08.03
Eun-Hee Ji (KOR)
Sophia Popov (GER)
So Yeon Ryu (KOR)
08.15
Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG)
Jasmine Suwannapura (THA)
Cristie Kerr (USA)
08.27
In-Kyung Kim (KOR)
Sarah Schmelzel (USA)
Andrea Lee (USA)
08.39
Jennifer Song (USA)
Charlotte Thomas (ENG)
Angel Yin (USA)
08.51
Frida Kinhult (SWE)
Stephanie Kyriacou (AUS)
Yealimi Noh (USA)
09.03
Janie Jackson (USA)
Magdalena Simmermacher (ARG)
Yuna Nishimura (JPN)
09.15
Yu Liu (CHN)
Lee-Anne Pace (RSA)
Amanda Doherty (USA)

Maja Stark

Hole 10
07.15
Pornanong Phatlum (THA)
Yaeeun Hong (KOR)
Jeongeun Lee 5 (KOR)
07.27
Isi Gabsa (GER)
Valery Plata (COL)
Emma Talley (USA)
07.39
Rose Zhang (USA)
Albane Valenzuela (SUI)
Sung Hyun Park (KOR)
07.51
Lizette Salas (USA)
Maja Stark (SWE)
Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DEN)
08.03
Brooke M Henderson (CAN)
Jessica Korda (USA)
Sei Young Kim (KOR)
08.15
Jin Young Ko (KOR)
Anna Nordqvist (SWE)
Lydia Ko (NZL)
08.27
In Gee Chun (KOR)
Jennifer Kupcho (USA)
Minjee Lee (AUS)
08.39
Rachel Heck (USA)
Atthaya Thitikul (THA)
Tiia Koivisto (FIN)
08.51
Morgane Metraux (SUI)
Anna Davis (USA)
Sanna Nuutinen (FIN)
09.03
Min Ji Park (KOR)
Manon De Roey (BEL)
Mizuki Hashimoto (JPN)
09.15
Mel Reid (ENG)
Aditi Ashok (IND)
Cheyenne Knight (USA)

Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn

Hole 1
12.15
Gina Kim (USA)
Amy Olson (USA)
Haeji Kang (KOR)
12.27
Su Oh (AUS)
Brittany Altomare (USA)
Amy Yang (KOR)
12.39
Ashleigh Buhai (RSA)
Paula Reto (RSA)
Maude-Aimee Leblanc (CAN)
12.51
Madelene Sagstrom (SWE)
Na Rin An (KOR)
Lilia Vu (USA)
13.03
Pajaree Anannarukarn (THA)
Ally Ewing (USA)
Xi Yu Lin (CHN)
13.15
Allisen Corpuz (USA)
Ariya Jutanugarn (THA)
Moriya Jutanugarn (THA)
13.27
A Lim Kim (KOR)
Marina Alex (USA)
Jenny Shin (KOR)
13.39
Jeongeun Lee6 (KOR)
Caroline Masson (GER)
Stephanie Meadow (NIR)
13.51
Lauren Coughlin (USA)
Esther Henseleit (GER)
Sarah Kemp (AUS)
14.03
Marianne Skarpnord (NOR)
Ryann O’Toole (USA)
Georgia Hall (ENG)
14.15
Jenny Coleman (USA)
Mao Saigo (JPN)
Meghan MacLaren (ENG)

Nelly Korda

Hole 10
12.15
Alison Lee (USA)
Peiyun Chien (TPE)
Annie Park (USA)
12.27
Megan Khang (USA)
Kelly Tan (MAS)
Aline Krauter (GER)
12.39
Pauline Roussin (FRA)
Johanna Gustavsson (SWE)
Jess Baker (ENG)
12.51
Hannah Green (AUS)
Ayaka Furue (JPN)
Hyo-Joo Kim (KOR)
13.03
Patty Tavatanakit (THA)
Gaby Lopez (MEX)
Hinako Shibuno (JPN)
13.15
Nelly Korda (USA)
Celine Boutier (FRA)
Yuka Saso (PHI)
13.27
Angela Stanford (USA)
Inbee Park (KOR)
Linn Grant (SWE)
13.39
Hye Jin Choi (KOR)
Mina Harigae (USA)
Leona Maguire (IRL)
13.51
Carlota Ciganda (ESP)
Charley Hull (ENG)
Nasa Hataoka (JPN)
14.03
Pia Babnik (SLO)
Perrine Delacour (FRA)
Jensen Castle (USA)
14.15
Lindsey Weaver-Wright (USA)
Olivia Cowan (GER)
Matilda Castren (FIN)

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Ladies European Tour: Anna Nordqvist warms up for Amundi Evian Championship with victory in Netherlands

Matt Smith — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 10:09:03 +0000

By Matt Smith
Anna Nordqvist had the perfect preparation for the Amundi Evian Championship with a one-stroke victory in the Big Green Egg Open in the Netherlands.

The three-time major champion warmed up in style at Rosendaelsche Golf Club, with a final-round 72 enough to prevail over the field.

A birdie on the 17th hole ultimately proved the difference for the Swede, who had to stay patient to seal the win on a tough day of scoring, as she finished the week on seven-under par.

“It feels really good, I’m proud. It was a bit of a battle out there today, I played really well in the beginning then lost focus and rhythm around the turn. But I’m proud of myself for fighting through the week,” she said.

“The beginning of this week was a bit of a struggle, then I played so well yesterday in a bit of a breeze, I’ve done a lot of good things this week and it’s nice to be back competing again.”

Nordqvist began the day with a steady front nine, picking up a shot on the par-five fourth, before dropping a shot on the ninth to make the turn in 36.

Another bogey on 10 saw things tighten up at the top, with Nordqvist locked on six-under alongside Vani Kapoor and Sarah Schober.

A birdie on the 13th saw the Solheim Cup star move herself back into the ascendency, only for a dropped shot to see her fall back alongside Schober once again, with Sophie Witt and Kapoor a shot back with three to play.

But a birdie on the penultimate hole of the tournament was key and the Swede held on.

She added: “I knew were tied on six-under around the 13th hole, I made birdie on 13 and had a great putt on 14. I got unlucky on 15 I found the fairway then it bounced straight right and I think it found the thickest part of the golf course just off the fairway, so that was unfortunate to make bogey.

“I made a great putt on 16 and I thought it was in, then I had a great pitch shot on 17 for birdie. It’s given me a lot confidence heading into next week.”

A level-par round of 72 was enough for Schober to secure a career-best finish on the LET in second.

Witt and Kapoor shared third spot with Nuria Iturrioz. Momoka Koboritook sixth place on four-under, while Whitney Hillier finished in standalone seventh on three-under.

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WATCH: Anna Nordqvist, Emily Pedersen and Georgia Hall try to ‘smash’ Guinness World Record at Saudi Ladies International

Golf Digest Middle East — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 05:18:47 +0000

By Special Correspondent
Some of the biggest names in men’s golf came close just a month ago. Now, in a video shot at last weekend’s Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund, fans can see if three of the superstar names on the Ladies European Tour were able to smash their way to a Guinness World Record, one plate at a time!

Sunday’s tournament champion Georgia Hall (pictured right, below), 2020 Aramco Saudi Ladies International winner Emily Kristine Pedersen of Denmark (pictured centre, below), and Sweden’s reigning AIG Women’s Open champion Anna Nordqvist (second from left) stepped-up to the mark in the hope of setting a new world record for the number of plates smashed in three minutes, from a distance of 21 metres.

Their male Asian Tour counterparts Gavin Green of Malaysia and TK Chantananuwat of Thailand had only six weeks earlier blasted their way to a best 15 plates at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers – five short of equalling the 20-plate record.

Could the trio of Solheim Cup stars go one better and bag the record for their own?

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The post WATCH: Anna Nordqvist, Emily Pedersen and Georgia Hall try to ‘smash’ Guinness World Record at Saudi Ladies International appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.