Linn Grant Becomes First Woman to Win on DP World Tour
HALMSTAD, Sweden - Sun Devil Women's Golf All-American Linn Grant (2019-21) recently captured a historic victory, becoming the first female to win on the DP World Tour.
In a field with 156 professional male and female golfers, Grant took home the title in her home country of Sweden. She is the first female golfer in the 50-year history of the European Tour (now named the DP World Tour) to win an event.
"We are all thrilled to see Linn make history on the DP Tour being the first woman to win against men on the professional level," Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye remarked. "Linn had a tremendous impact on our program during her time at ASU. She is a fierce competitor and terrific young lady. We could not be happier for Linn and can not wait to see what she accomplished next on the world stage!"
Her victory at the Volvo Cars Scandinavian Mixed event on Sunday was in dominant fashion, winning by nine strokes after an 8-under 64 in the final round at Halmstad Golf Club. She finished 14 strokes ahead of the next best woman, Gabriella Cowley, who placed tied for 15th.
PGA Tour winner Henrik Stenson hosted the event with fellow golfing legend and Swede Annika Sorenstam, with the field featuring some of the top competitors in the world. It is the second staging of a tournament that started with 78 men and 78 women in the field, playing the same course off of different tees.
Entering the final day with a two-stroke lead, Grant created separation by recording birdies on five of her first six holes. She first took a nine-stroke lead after tapping in for birdie at the par-five 11th hole and made eight birdies in total, completing a bogey-free weekend.
Despite turning pro just over a year ago, this is already the third professional win for Grant, who had previously won on the Ladies' European Tour earlier in 2022. She continues to add to her career earnings, raking in $360,000 worth of prize money awarded to the champion. Thanks to the victory, she moved up 37 spots in the World Rankings up to No. 119.
PROFESSIONAL WINS
March 26, 2022 - Joburg Ladies Open
May 29, 2022 - Mithra Belgian Ladies Open
June 12, 2022 - Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed
She is no stranger to professional events, having already competed in several as an amateur, including three LPGA Major Championships. Grant has already appeared in two U.S. Women's Opens and a Women's British Open, giving her experience in handling high-pressure environments.
LINN'S LEGACY
Two-time First Team All-American Linn Grant made the most of her time in Tempe, putting together one of the best two-year careers of any player in NCAA history. The native of Viken, Sweden came to Arizona State as a highly-touted recruit and immediately lived up to the expectations. After completing one of the best freshman seasons by a Sun Devil, Grant managed to build upon that with a brilliant sophomore season. She leaves ASU as one of the most decorated in school history, with the feeling that she made the right decision to get her to the next level.
"My time at ASU was very important to me on a personal level," Grant said last June. "Getting to leave home and experience missing Sweden was very important and having to live every day life by myself with out my family. It was what I needed to experience to get my game to the next level."
Under the tutelage of Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye and Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill, Grant thrived like many European players to recently come through the Sun Devil program. The relationship and bond that was built with the coaching staff was a key reason why Grant decided to come to ASU and improve her game. A trust was built between the two parties allowing the history of success with Sun Devils from Sweden to continue.
"My relationships with Missy and Michelle are relationships I value very highly," Grant added. "I'm so glad that they gave me the chance to come to ASU and get to know them both. It was tough for me to speak to them and make my decision of leaving, but I know that they'll always be there for me!"