Iceland’s Ragga Kristinsdottir fired a fantastic round of 65 (-7) to finish on top of the leaderboard after a sunny day one of the Vasteras Open by MoreGolf Mastercard.
It was a steady front nine of two birdies and one bogey before the Icelandic player fired up the flatstick to card one bogey, five birdies and one eagle to finish with a two stroke lead.
Speaking about her round today, Kristinsdottir said: “I found it easy to be honest out there. I hit a lot of great drives which got me in good positions and made a few putts out there, so it’s kind of just a nothing happening kind of 7 under.”
Kristinsdottir came into this event having finished runner-up at last week’s Swedish Strokeplay Championship, her highest ever finish on LETAS.
“Absolutely, last week gave me momentum. I played well last week. That last round I putted great I just didn’t hit the ball that great but now all parts of my game are coming together so a low round was incoming.
“Tomorrow, I want the same confidence on the greens. It’s easy when you can see the ball go in the hole wherever you are on the greens. It makes golf a little bit easier that way.”
Kristinsdottir has had one more top 10 finish on LETAS which came earlier this year at the Super Bock Ladies Open. She also fired rounds of 72, 70 and 70 to finish first at last year’s Q School pre-qualifier
The 2022 British Amateur Stroke Play Medalist has played for three seasons on LETAS and has finished 86th and 83rd consecutively.
“I think I’ve already made more points this year combined than the other two. So, i think we are off to a pretty good start.
“I’ve learnt to not be too hard on myself. I’m a huge competitor and I like to wear my heart on my sleeves, but I think it’s more about not being as much of a perfectionist on the golf course.
“I speak the Swedish language, so it makes it a little bit easier for me. It’s nice to be in a Nordic event and have a little bit of Nordic hospitality.”
Mexico’s Fernanda Lira fired eight birdies and three bogeys to finish second on five-under-par.
“Everything kind of just felt kind of easy. I didn’t necessarily do anything special, just sort of, played steady. I gave myself chances because I was putting well.”
“I think the course is in very good conditions and its scorable. The practice days weren’t as good weather but today is just a perfect Swedish summer day. I enjoy Sweden, I’ve been here a couple of times and I’m happy to be back.”
Lira moved from the Epson Tour to the LET last season after earning a card at the 2023 Lalla Aicha Qualifying school, she also fired a course record at Al Maaden with a total of 11-under-par.
After failing to retain full LET playing rights for the 2024 season, the 2021 Epson Tour winner has struggled with competing between two tours.
“This season I’m in between the tours as I don’t have that great status on the LET but I have been getting into some events.
“It’s been a very different season to my last one. I must be ready to change travel plans and where to stay whilst not letting any friends down. So, logistics have made it harder.”
Lira’s highest finish this season has been 18th at the Santander Golf Tour- Avila where her Mexican compatriot Alejandra Llaneza clinched the title.
“I have enjoyed LETAS so far and I’m looking forward to playing more events in the future and this being my focus.”
On a low-scoring first day at Sherike GolfKlubb, eight players are tied third on four-under-par promising some exciting action tomorrow.
Round two begins at 8am local time tomorrow. There will be a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties after the round finishes.
For more information on the tournament visit letaccess.com and follow @LETAccess on Facebook, Instagram and X – #Access2LET.
