Finland’s Leena Makonnen is currently lying in 50th position on the LETAS Order of Merit and is hoping for a strong finish to the season, to earn her place into the final stage of the LET’s Lalla Aicha Tour School in Morocco. Leena answers some quick questions…
Full Name:
Leena Makkonen
Do you have a nickname your friends refer to you by? If so what is it?
Some people call me Lennu or Mako
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
A golf ball, my wedge and matches
If you could have an unlimited storage of one thing, what would it be?
Self-confidence
What is your favourite activity you do when you want to relax?
Be at home and watch some movies or TV-series. I also like to hang out with my family and friends
How do you spend your time in the airports?
Drink cups of coffee or tea, looking through social media, watching some movies and keeping in touch with family and friends
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Remember to always see the bright and positive side
What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
I think it’s a Mämmi, this is a traditional Finnish dessert in Easter
If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
Determined
Do you supports a sports team? if yes who, and what sport?
My hometown’s ice-hockey team Jukurit. Jukurit just moved to Finnish Championship league, which is the highest league in Finland.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Bali
What advice would you give to aspiring amateurs looking to turn professional?
Work hard and believe in yourself!
Do you like cooking?
Yes I like cooking but I don’t have that much time to do it as I would like. I like cooking Italian food.
If you could have one celebrity follower on Twitter who would it be?
Jordan Speith
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Playing in LET and to have good memories from the 2020 Olympic Games.
What has been you biggest golfing achievement?
Last year being twice in the top-10 on the LET Access Series
What is your favourite golf course to play and why?
Linna Golf in Finland. The course is adequate, challenging and the scenery is beautiful. I also like to play in Praia d’el Rey in Portugal.
Age you started playing golf? Who/how did you get involved in golf?
I started to play when I was 14 years old. My brother had played for a couple of years and he encouraged me to play
Age you received your first handicap?
14
What is your best travel tip?
You must have noise cancelling headphones
Your lowest ever round of golf? Where and when?
-5, in LET Access Series tournament in Strasbourg in 2015
What’s your favourite club in your bag?
9 Iron
What’s in your golf bag? And apart from clubs and golf balls?
Putting tutor, two Finnish design Marimekko pencil bags full of tees, pens and pencils, ball markers and coins from several golf courses
What is your average driving distance?
210m
What tournament are you looking forward to most this season?
I’m looking forward to the Azores because we are playing in a different island than last year
If you could pick a dream four ball partner who would it be and why?
Jason Day, because he hits the ball very good
What is your favourite distance to practise?
Hitting wedges from 20-50 meters
If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?
Spanish
What were your first set of golf clubs?
Some beginners set. I don’t remember the name because it has been already 15 years since I had those…
Your team would be composed of…
Golf coach: Jarno Hovila
Fitness trainer: Viivi Avikainen
Mental coach: Toni Lillman
