The golf coach ahead of the British Open: The Swedes have a good chance

The Olympic golf was decided recently at Le Golf National outside Versailles. At home, the Swedes’ progress was followed by Hans Larsson, who was coach for the four representatives during high school.

The Swedish game was not good enough to reach a medal. On the women’s side, Maja Stark finished in tenth place, Linn Grant in 17th place.

Hans Larsson tells us that it was a challenging Olympic course.

– He can quickly go from birdie to bogey, he says.

– You can be a little aggressive on a stick, get close and make birdies. But three meters to the side is a water hazard and then it can be a bogey instead.

Now waiting for the last one of the year big competition, British Open in St Andrews. Twice before (2007 and 2013) the women’s competition was decided on the famous Old Course.

– It is special. It is said to be a relatively easy course to play around par.

– There is almost always a side that has more space from the tee. But if you have a little too much edge off the tee, it’s harder to get in and make birdies.

A total of nine Swedish women are involved. In addition to Stark and Grant, Anna Nordqvist, who won the British Open at Carnoustie in 2021, and Madelene Sagström, who finished second and fourth, have experience.

– Linn and Maja are determined to be up there and compete. All four are so good that I wouldn’t be surprised if one or more are up after two laps and give themselves a good chance.

In addition to his work as a golf coach at Filbornaskolan in Helsingborg, Hans Larsson is also the personal trainer of Madelene Sagström – and 23-year-old Louise Rydqvist, who is making her British Open major debut.

There, she will receive the first two rounds in the same ball as veteran Anna Nordqvist.

– It might be fun. I know she is really looking forward to playing there.

The old course is one so-called links course – a special type of golf course where the wind often comes in. It is difficult for Hans Larsson to answer which of the nine Swedes best suits the course, but he comments on a particular part of the game:

– Louise and Anna are very strong when it comes to putting off the green. Links courses often suit such players well.

– Then you know that thing about “left weather”, that it can turn around. You can have mornings and evenings that are different. This means it can be a bit random, depending on when your start time is.

But the weather is also part of the game.

– Hopefully there will be some “weather on the left wing”, that’s part of the point when you’re there, says Hans Larsson.

Read more:

Guide: Nine Swedes in Women’s British Open

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