Linn Grant made yet more history as she won the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed for the second time, chasing down overnight leader Sebastian Söderberg courtesy of a flawless final-round 65 in her hometown of Helsingborg.
The Swede made headlines two years ago when she became the first female winner of a DP World Tour event at this tournament, and she carded a seven under par final round of 65 to take the title at Vasatorps Golfklubb by a single stroke.
The result was even sweeter for Grant, who was this week competing in her hometown of Helsingborg with her brother Jonathan as caddie.
Söderberg held an eight-stroke overnight lead over nearest challenger Calum Hill but was unable to continue the imperious form which saw him reach 21 under par after three rounds.
Grant, who started the day on ten under par, carded six birdies on her first ten holes, and then chipped in from just off the green at the last to set the clubhouse target at 17 under par, three-strokes behind Söderberg who had six holes left to play.
Söderberg then bogeyed the 13th and 15th holes and parred the 16th and 17th to stand on the 18th tee with a one stroke lead. He hit an excellent drive, but his approach plugged in the greenside bunker.
The 33-year-old chipped out and left his par putt short, but his bogey effort circled the hole and stayed above ground, consigning him to a third runner-up finish in the space of just five starts as he signed for a closing double bogey and a five over par 77.
Grant was preparing for the possibility of a play-off when word of her victory filtered through to the range as she secured her sixth Ladies European Tour title.
The result sent records tumbling as no player had ever held an eight-stroke 54-hole lead on the DP World Tour and not won, and Grant’s 11-stroke deficit is now the largest overturned, eclipsing the ten-stroke comebacks by Paul Lawrie (The 1999 Open) and Jamie Spence (1992 Canon European Masters).
Söderberg finished in a share of second with Scotsman Hill on 16 under par, with Sweden’s Johanna Gustavsson in a tie for fourth place on 13 under alongside the English pair of Alex Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan.
“Very mixed emotions,” said a sheepish Grant shortly after victory was secured. “Like I said before, I feel honestly terrible for Sebastian at the moment. I don’t even have words for it. I can’t imagine how he feels. At the same time, I’m so surprised standing here as a winner again, in my home town. It’s amazing.
“Honestly, I just tried to go out today and give myself the opportunity. I didn’t think about the chance of winning, 11 shots is a huge gap. I just wanted to go out, have fun, make as many birdies as possible and enjoy it with my brother on the bag and being at home.
“(On 18). Unbelievable. I think I celebrated good enough when I was there, so I’m not looking back at that wishing it was me in the last group. It turned out to be an incredible day.
“I’m so speechless. I can’t really believe it.”
Lauren Walsh’s week didn’t quite pan out as she’d hoped after bursting out of the traps with a 67 on day one, but she finished on a positive note by shooting a one-under 71 to end the week tied for 65th.
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