The golf world woke up last Sunday to some good news. And through the miracle of social media and other instant connections, fans around the globe scampered to televisions to watch The Volvo Scandinavian Mixed. There they saw Linn Grant make history by become the first woman to win a DP World Tour event. Even though the event was co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour and the women played different tees, Grant’s accomplishment brought smiles, shouts and a few tears from fans who might not have known the 22-year-old Swede before last week. And with all the hoopla and distraction from LIV Golf, Grant gave everyone in the game a reason to cheer.
But for at least one observer, the victory was no surprise. John Grant, Linn’s father who played golf professionally for about the time it takes a cup of coffee to get cold in Stockholm, knew that his daughter had this in her. And why wouldn’t he? Since turning pro last fall, Linn has won three times in South Africa, capturing the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit and one overlap event (the Joburg Ladies Open) with the LET. She also won once on the LET Access Series and captured another LET victory in Belgium before making history in Sweden, romping to a nine-shot win over Henrik Stenson and Marc Wilson.
“It’s not very Swedish to say it this way but I’m not surprised that she won,” John said. “However, I was a little surprised by the way she won and the number of strokes. I knew she had it in her but nine shots and the way she did it was a little bit of a surprise.”