Prize money at the US Open has been increased to nearly SEK 100 million. But no buck will go to amateur golfer Ingrid Lindblad, who is second after game day one.
– It was fun to earn some money, she says.
However, the 22-year-old Swede does not regret that she has been an abyss for a longer time.
– I plan to stay in college for another year or so. Of course it was fun to earn some money, Lindblad says at the press conference, but I still think I’ll be in college a little longer.
In order to get the prize money, Lindblad had to give up his amateur status before the competition.
Now she must instead strive for a good result and honor and become the best amateur in the competition.
Ingrid Lindblad It became at least historic with the best amateur round of the US Open by 65 strokes on the first day of competition at North Carolina’s Pine Needles. American Mina Harrigay leads with 64 rounds.
amateur winner
It is not uncommon for amateurs to bark at major golf courses. However, only one of the amateurs won the US Open, Catherine Lacoste in 1967, but the second place went, for example, to Choi Hye-Jin 2017, Brittany Lang and Morgan Pressel 2005.
– I was in the amateur clinic that day and heard that only one amateur had won. But I know Mega (Jean) played well last year (14th place) and Maja (Stark), who is also from Sweden, played well two years in a row. It’s possible to play well here as an amateur, says Lindblad.
Stark became Sweden’s best player at the US Open in 2020 and 2021, when she was still an amateur. Last year it ranked 16th and in 2020 it ranked 13th.
The former star is the caddy
Lindblad has former golf star Sophie Gustafson as a boxer. The two did not know each other prior to the competition and Lindblad checked Gustafson’s Instagram account for more information.
– She’s won, awesome, a few times on the tour, says Lindblad.
Gustafson, 48, hasn’t played on the US Tour since 2015, but he’s been a bandwagon for a while since then. Gustafson praises his young compatriot.
– I’m so impressed with her mental strength, it’s unbelievable. Don’t push herself down if she hits obliquely or misses a hit. She is just, “Okay then.” According to the Golf Channel, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this.
Lindblad beat 20.35 Swedish time in the second round. She went on the same ball as the legendary Annika Sörenstam, who started with 74 strokes.
1 of 2Photo: Chris Carlson/AP/TT