Swedish amateur Kajsa Arwefjäll sealed her maiden win in a professional event after securing victory on the second playoff hole at the GolfUppsala Open.
Arwefjäll, who will start her third year at San José State University later this month, opened the competition with a round of 69 before carding a 72 in the second round, which moved her up from third to second place overnight.
The champion said: “This win was so fun especially with my dad/coach on the bag. It means a lot and shows all the long hours of practice are paying off. I have played some playoffs before and learned to just focus on myself and do what I normally do. I love competing, so I’m very excited for next week. Now I’m visiting my grandparents until the Västerås Open, I’m going to celebrate and spend time with them before I go back to college in America.”
On the final day at the Söderby Golf, the Swedish talent carded a one-under 72 and after compatriot Sofie Bringner birdied 18, the duo went into a playoff and the amateur triumphed.
Three players ended the tournament tied for third place and one shot behind. Swedish amateur Meja Ortengren had a great start to her round with three birdies on the first seven holes.
Despite dropping a shot, Ortengren then made a birdie on 11 and an eagle on 14 before ending her round with three dropped shots.
She said: “I’m happy with my game this week, it’s been very solid lately and I’m hoping for some low rounds in the next weeks. I hit lots of greens today and gave myself good opportunities for birdies. On 14 I had 55 meters left on my third shot and holed out for eagle. It was nice to make that long of a shot as I was close to make two shots earlier during the round.“
Sweden’s Ellinor Haag was also T3 after shooting a one-under-par 72, while Swiss amateur Elena Moosmann carded a round of two-under 71 to join them.
“I’m really happy to have put myself in contention this week, and to see that my hard work is paying off. Of course, I would have loved to come out on top, but this is my best finish on LETAS and I’m very proud how I handled myself on the course this week,” said Haag.
“As I am heading to LPGA Q-school next week, I am happy to see some red numbers to build on for what’s next. I putted well all week and hit a lot of good iron shots. I love to see so many Swedes on top of the leaderboard, Sofie is playing great golf right now winning last week and second after playoff this week!”
The defending champion, amateur Linn Grant, was also close to the playoff, but lost three shots on the last two holes to finish in in sixth place on three-under-par.
Two amateurs, Germany’s Patricia Isabel Schmidt and France’s Charlotte Liautier, finished T7 on two-under-par after they both shot 70 (-3) in their final round.
Sweden’s Linda Lundqvist, amateurs Lovisa Gunnar and Nora Sundberg, and South Korea’s Nayeon Eum closed finished tied for ninth place.
