Denmark’s Puk Lyng Thomsen secured victory at the 2023 Vasteras Open by Elite Hotels with a four-stroke lead.
The 25-year-old rookie held the overnight lead on nine-under-par going into the final day at Fullerö Golfklubb but got off to a shaky start with a bogey and a double bogey within the first three holes to lose the lead.
However, Thomsen fought off the final day nerves to come back fighting and rolled four birdies and two bogeys to finish the tournament off in brilliant fashion on eight-under-par.
Speaking about what it feels to win, Thomsen said, “It feels amazing, a big relief. I have been practicing a lot for this moment to happen.
“In the beginning I tried to stay calm, tried to keep my own strategy like the first two days but I felt a little too much pressure, so I came out with a bit of a rough start but tried to find the calmness after that and made a few birdies, that was nice.
“I think the birdie on eight was a key moment that turned the game around.”
The 25-year-old has had a difficult time since 2020, whilst an amateur the Dane achieved a career best ranking of 13 on WAGR but a severe back injury that required surgery meant no play during the 2020 and 2021 season.
“This win means a lot; I have a goal that I want to play on the LET so to be able to do that I need a few wins and good results so I’m happy about that.
“It’s been a long journey and from not knowing if I would play high level golf again to this, it’s amazing!”
From this win, Thomsen moves 16 places up the LETAS Order of Merit to second place with 701.30 points and also sits second on the Rookie of the Year list behind fellow Dane and friend Sofie Kibsgaard Nielsen.
Thomson was accompanied by her dad on the bag and credits him with keeping her calm.
“His birdie dance when I made a birdie yesterday was so embarrassing but having my dad on the bag was special and he kept me calm yet I don’t know if it was me that stayed calmer than him in the end on eighteen.
“To celebrate, I’m going to drive to Gothenburg later with my dad and we will have a nice evening and spend the day tomorrow celebrating.”
Behind Thomsen in second place was Swedish amateur, Kajsa Arwefjall on four-under-par, who after six holes held the lead.
The 23-year-old, who won the 2021 GolfUppsala Open, struggled on the back nine initially with two bogeys and a double bogey but two consecutive birdies on 15 and 16 was enough for her to finish in outright second place and be the highest-ranking Swede.
Slovenia’s Katja Pogacar, who came second at the Montauban Ladies Open at the start of June was in outright third place on three-under-par.
Netherland’s Marit Harryvan, who started the day on five under and New Zealand’s Amy Walsh, the first day leader ended the tournament in joint fourth position one stroke behind.
There was a three-way tie for sixth place with Sweden’s Ellin Kumlin, New Zealand’s Kelsey Bennett and Irish amateur Sara Byrne all finishing on one under par.
Special mention to Byrne who placed within the top 10 at her first professional tournament.
England’s Georgina Blackman had a consistent week carding 73,72,71 to finish ninth on par.
The golfers will now go straight into a second week of play in Sweden at the Capio Ogon Trophy, part of the Ahlsell Nordic Golf Tour.
