Sofia Ljungqvist Photo credit: Göran Söderqvist
The conditions were good for the first day of the Anna Nordqvist Västerås Open by SmartProvider, although a constant breeze was blowing. The sun shone, as it has for most of the summer, and the course was in good condition, with green fairways courtesy of water from nearby Svartån.
Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen leads the way with an opening 68, four under par, with Switzerland’s Anais Maggetti and Maria Beautell of Spain, a shot back at three under.
Home player Sofia Ljungqvist was one of four Swedes who recorded one under par rounds on the first day. Ljungqvist, who finished with a birdie, is a member at Västerås, and has in fact never been a member of any other golf club. The Swede was glad that it went as well as it did on the opening day. “I was a little nervous. You want to perform so much when you are playing at home,” she said.
Would it be extra special to win at home?
“Yes, but I do not have such high expectations. I’m just going to enjoy it, it’s so fun to play here at home, that we have a nice course and that there are so many people coming to watch. Had someone said before you’ll shoot minus one I would have taken it straight away.”
Ljungqvist, Therese Nerpin, Jessica Karlsson and Swedish amateur Elsa Svensson are sitting comfortably in a tie for 5th place. Scotland’s Laura Murray occupies 4th on her own after a 70, two under par.
Play gets underway for the 2nd round at 8.00 from both the 1st and 10th tees.
