Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer, who played at Landeryd Masters sits on top of the leaderboard after a rainy and windy first day in Sweden.
With a cut to the top 45 professionals and ties looming at the end of play tomorrow, here is a more in-depth look at the first day of the PGA of Sweden Championship Landeryd.
ACTION FROM LANDERYD MASTERS
Austria’s Katharina Muehlbauer took the advantage of a more scorable course and came out the blocks hot with a round of 66 (-6) to lead the first round of the PGA of Sweden Championship Landeryd.
Muehlbauer, who started on the 10th, had a steady start which soon picked up with back-to-back birdies on holes 16 and 17.
Her second bogey of the day dropped on the third hole but the 27-year-old remained patient and fired up the flatstick in her last six holes with four birdies and one eagle.
Speaking about her round, Muehlbauer said: “I never really felt stressed out there. I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to the win, so I know the season for me it’s just starting.
“I’ve never really played well in Sweden but everything else is amazing. Hope this marks a change. I really like the food here. I really like the people, the houses, the weather not so much, but, I mean, we will see this year, but in general, I really like to come to this part of the world.”
Muehlbauer enters this tournament after another runner-up finish at the Amundi Czech Ladies Challenge where she lost in a play off to 15-year-old French amateur Alice Kong.
Her first runner up finish came at her home tournament, the Allegria Ladies Open.
After a couple days of rest Muehlbauer is feeling confident for the Swedish stretch.
“I spent some time with Max, my partner and we did all the things you do during the summer in one day. It was fun and at the same time it took my mind off golf a bit.”
“I feel like I am more confident this year. I really, really don’t regret the decision to change coach during the winter and whilst it was not an easy one it is working out.”
Muehlbauer sits third on the LETAS Order of Merit and is hoping to get back into the winner’s circle for the first time since 2023.
One stroke behind lies the home threat, Sweden’s Isabel Ekstrom who carded seven birdies and two bogeys to finish on 67 (-5).
“I’ve been looking forward to the Swedish stretch of events a lot. Its always nice to just drive to tournaments. Both courses are new to me but I really like them.”
Ekstrom also had a group of people from her home club coming out to support which made it fun.
“I had some members from my home course that I had met at the hotel I’m staying at so it was nice to see them walking all 18 holes today. It helped me out there to see the support.”
Next week, LETAS is teeing it up at Ekstrom’s home course, so she is hoping these next few weeks help her to move her up the LETAS rankings where she currently sits 45th after three cuts made, including one top 10 at the Super Bock Ladies Open.
Finland’s Tia Teiniketo made a triumphant return to LETAS competion this week by carding a round of 69(-3).
Starting on the back nine, Teiniketo birdied the 11th before three consecutive bogeys on holes 13, 14, 15. However the Finn bounced back with five birdies.
She credits her boyfriend, Matias with keeping her calm out there today.
“It felt good. This is the first time he’s caddying for me ever and it was just fun. I kind of went into the round thinking that whether it’s a good day or a bad day playing wise, at least it’ll be fun because he’s there.
“But it ended up with him being there really helping me. He kept me calm even with the bogies.”
Teiniketo has taken some time off tournament golf having only played twice this season.
Explaining why she needed to take the time off, Teiniketo said: “I had arrhythmia in my heart due to stress. That’s why I haven’t really played just because I’ve been so stressed, and I’ve been struggling with getting the budget to come play tournaments.
“It hasn’t been easy, but we’re here. I’ve kind of struggled with just thinking about money too much.
“So, I’ve been working a lot on not bringing worries and external stress into my game.”
Teiniketo will now switch to Vesterby Links tomorrow, a course she has never played before.
“I didn’t play a practice round there. I just walked the course. I’ve heard it’s quite firm, so I think I just need to be patient. That’s going to be the key for me.
“I think the setup this week is fun. I think it’s good that we’re trying different things and kind of spicing it up a little bit.”
LETAS invite India’s Lavanya Jadon had a great round of five birdies and two bogeys to also sit on three-under-par.
Speaking about her round, Jadon said: “It was good. I had a fun group today. The course is playing pure, and I really enjoyed playing this course, the Masters.
“Tomorrow, I want to stay focussed and give it my best.”
It’s a week of firsts for Jadon, who turned professional this year, as she is playing in her first LETAS event and it is her first time in Sweden.
“I like Sweden a lot. The country is beautiful, and the vibes are amazing. The people are really kind and always ready to help. I’m enjoying it here with my mum.”
THE ACTION FROM LANDERYD VESTERBY LINKS
Switzerland’s Elena Colombo carded an almost faultless opening round of 68 (-3) to sit third on the leaderboard overall across the two courses.
Colombo came out the blocks hot with an eagle on the first and from there carried on with some steady golf of two birdies and one bogey.
Speaking about her round, Colombo said: “It was tricky out there this morning with the wind and the rain. Its so different here from where I practice as its so cold, but I think it’s a good start for a stretch of three tournaments.
“On the Masters course you can’t attack it as much as you can out on the links course. Tomorrow will be more about strategy.”
Colombo comes into this week having enjoyed a restful three days at home.
“It was great to go to the beach, refresh myself and get ready for the Swedish stretch.”
The 25-year-old who plays under the Swiss flag but lives in Rome sits 43rd on the LETAS Order of Merit. Her best finish this season has been tied 14th at the Montauban Ladies Open.
“This season I’m coming into it from a tough year so I’m just trying to stay in the moment, stick to the plan and trust in my team and know that what we are doing is good.”
One shot behind lies England’s Ellen Hume who fired one double bogey, one bogey and four birdies to sit in second place.
Speaking about her round, Hume said: “It was good. My approach shots went close considering the conditions and I made some easy birdies.
“I am excited to be back in Sweden, I have a lot of Swedish friends that have been able to travel with me this year and last year, so they always make it a lot more enjoyable on and off the golf course.
“Next week or the next two weeks I’m staying with Ellen Hutchinson Kay who is hopefully coming back from injury, so that would be a fun stretch, so yeah, nice to kick it off with a good round.”
Hume currently sits 35th on the LETAS Order of Merit and comes into this event off the back of playing her first LET event, the Hulencourt Women’s Open.
“I would say it has been a mediocre season so far. To put it simply, I’ve been pretty good at finishing tied 30th which doesn’t get you obviously a lot of points, but I feel like my game is in a good place. It just needs to click for three rounds.
“I was able to play the LET event in Belgium as well and it’s nice to see that I don’t think my game is that far off and I think that gave me some confidence coming back over here and knowing that that I belong and that I’m good enough to do well.
“Obviously, the season is extremely long. Anything can happen. I mean, one week and you turn your whole season around, so there’s plenty of golf left to play and I’m not out of it.”
Two more players finished under par at Vasterby Links; Swedish amateur and Stanford player Nora Sundberg and Sweden’s Amanda Linner who both carded 70(-1).
Round two begins at 7:41am local time tomorrow with the leader Muehlbauer going out at 8:47am at Vasterby from tee one.
