After a phenomenal opening round of 64 (-9), Sweden’s Andrea Lignell secured a wire-to-wire victory to claim her first professional title at the Swedish Strokeplay Championship by Dormy Future Stars.
It was a steady final round of 72 (-1) for Lignell with two birdies and one bogey to claim her first title on home soil by one stroke.
Speaking about what it means to win, Lignell said: “At this moment it just feels surreal. I was considering not even playing this week as I’ve had a rough stretch. So, I am so overwhelmed now.”
Lignell, who impressed in her rookie year by finishing 11th on the LETAS Order of Merit, has had a tough start to the season with three missed cuts.
The 24-year-old has five other top 10 finishes on Tour and plays out of Hills Golf Club, who are hosting an LET event later this season where Lignell is an invitee.
“This win means everything to me. It just shows that everything paid off eventually. Even though I felt like I had hit rock bottom, still the hard work has now shone through.”
Lignell was part of the Ole Miss team that won the 2021 NCAA Championship, and she had her teammate Ellen Hume on the bag during final day.
“I asked her to be on my bag yesterday as I thought it would calm me down a little. I was nervous out there, but we also really enjoyed it. I was surprised with how calm I was today.”
Lignell plans to celebrate her win with friends in Stockholm and is now excited to use this win as momentum for the rest of the season.
“I have struggled with motivation, because I really thought I was at the bottom. So honestly, it’s kind of just means that I want to keep doing this. This is what we play for and a reminder of why I play again.”
Almost a year to the date, Lignell lost out on the win at the Moregolf Mastercard Open after leading the first round and now feels this win is retribution.
“Last year I had the lead, and I didn’t have control over my game on final day. I was very different today. I stayed calm from the start and felt in control of my game somewhat.
“Many friends came out to support me on the 18th. It is special to get my first pro win at home. I always love playing at home. I always feel the support even more.”
Iceland’s Ragga Kristinsdottir fired a round of 68 (-5) to finish solo second on five under, the best finish of her three-year career on LETAS.
The 2022 British Amateur Stroke Play Medalist fired two birdies in her first four holes, but two consecutive bogeys set her back.
Undeterred, Kristinsdottir fired up the flatstick on the back nine to card one bogey, four birdies and a fantastic eagle on the 18th.
Kristinsdottir has had one 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 years pre-qualifier.
Australia’s Stephanie Bunque and Swedish amateur Anna Wallin finished tied third on four-under-par.
Four players finished tied fifth on three-under-par; England’s Charlotte Heath, Australia’s Justice Bosio, Swedish amateur Elsa Svensson and the Netherland’s Zhen Bontan.
LETAS now stays in Sweden for the Vasteras Open by Moregolf Mastercard which takes place July 9-11. 132 players will tee it up for a €45,000 prize fund at Sherike GolfKlubb.
