Golfer Linn Grant made history on Sunday by becoming the first woman ever to win a tournament on the European tour that also includes men. The 22-year-old Swedish finished at 24 strokes under par at the Scandinavian Mixed in Halmstad and was therefore in a class of its own.
The Scandinavian Mixed is part of the Ladies European Tour (LET) and of the DP World Tour, the new name of the European Tour for men. At the LET it was her third victory in six competitions this year.
Grant’s lead over her competitors was impressive. Her compatriot Henrik Stenson and Scotsman Marc Warren were joint second with a score of -15. Never before this season has the difference between number one and two on the DP World Tour been so great.
Grant already started the last day with a lead and expanded even further this Sunday. The young Swedish girl made five birdies on the first six holes in her own country on the closing day.
The second mixed edition of the Scandinavian Masters started with 78 men and 78 women. They played on the same course, but from different tees, meaning the women had less distance to cover on each hole.
Linn Grant is hugged after the win by her caddy, who is also her partner.
Linn Grant is hugged after the win by her caddy, who is also her partner. Photo: AP
‘Felt like the girls against the boys’
For Grant, whose victory brings in three million euros in prize money, the victory felt more special than her previous tournament victories. “Of course the most important thing was to beat the men,” she responded.
“All week I felt like it was the girls against the boys and whoever picks up that trophy represents the whole field.” The second wife, the English Gabriella Cowley, was shared fifteenth.
Grant hopes her victory will start something. “It would be nice if people started recognizing women’s golf, more sponsors going to the LET and hopefully this will give the women’s branch a boost.”