Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed 2023

A Unique Clash on the Greens

Ladies and gents, fasten your seatbelts! The Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed 2023 is revving up, promising a golf event that's a cut above the rest. Co-hosted by ten-time Major Champion Annika Sörenstam, this one-of-a-kind tournament brings together 78 men and 78 women, all vying for a single prize fund and one trophy. The venue? Ullna Golf & Club, a stone's throw from Stockholm, where the drama is set to unfold on a course that keeps even the best on their toes.

But, it's not just the mixed field that makes this tournament special. We're in for a real treat as the defending champion, Linn Grant, steps onto the tee with 10-time DP World Tour winner Alex Noren and a host of other talented players. This is more than just a golf tournament; it's a showcase of skill, grit, and determination that knows no gender boundaries. So, who's in the running, and what can we expect from this extraordinary golf event?

Meet the Contenders

Let's kick off with Linn Grant. This 23-year-old Swede is coming off a dream season in 2022, during which she snatched four victories, the 'LET Rookie of the Year' title, and the Race to Costa del Sol championship. Last year, she made history by becoming the first female winner of the Scandinavian Mixed, storming to a nine-stroke victory on home soil. With the home crowd behind her, she's the one to watch as she aims for a successful title defence.

Yet, there are other big fish in this pond. Alex Noren, a Ryder Cup star, and two-time winner of his "home tournament", is heading back to his hometown to take a swing at the title. Noren has spent much of his time on the PGA Tour but is eager to perform in front of his home crowd.

And let's not forget Robert MacIntyre. Despite a disappointing start to his 2023 campaign, a good week could turn things around for this Scotsman. Then there's Ewen Ferguson, another Scot, who has bounced back from a rough start to this season with some impressive finishes in recent weeks.

The Course: Ullna Golf Club

Ullna Golf & Country Club was officially opened on August 27, 1981, by Swedish sports hero Sven Tumba, marking the realization of his dream on his own 50th birthday. Tumba was a unique figure in Swedish sports, representing the country in football, ice hockey, and golf. After his hockey career, he turned his attention to golf, becoming a player, course designer, and even a professional waterskier. Known as "the Golf Ambassador," he introduced golf to the Soviet Union and built the country's first golf course, outside Moscow. Tumba's dream of creating an extraordinary and scenic golf course north of Stockholm came true with the inauguration of Ullna Golf & CC, which quickly became one of the leading golf clubs in the Nordic countries​.

Throughout the years, Ullna has hosted numerous golf and sports legends, entertainers, royals, and even a U.S. President. Notably, the club has organized international professional and amateur competitions, including the legendary Scandinavian Enterprise Open (SEO) from 1983 to 1987. Renowned golfers such as Seve Ballesteros, Adam Scott, Johnny Miller, Craig Stadler, Mark O'Meara, Lee Trevino, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Trevor Immelman, and local hero Jesper Parnevik have all competed at Ullna. Tiger Woods even captained the international team in the SAS Invitational team competition from 1998 to 2001. Moreover, Swedish sports icon Annika Sörenstam won the HP Open on the Ladies European Tour 2004 at Ullna

FAQs

Who won the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed in the past?

The tournament was won by Jonathan Caldwell in 2021 and by Linn Grant in 2022.

What's unique about the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed?

The Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed is the first of its kind, bringing together 78 men and 78 women to compete on the same course for one prize fund and one trophy.

Where will the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed be held in 2023?

The tournament will be held at Ullna Golf & Club, just 30 minutes from the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

With all this in mind, we're set for an exhilarating golf tournament that blurs the lines between men's and women's golf and showcases the best of both.

Betting card and thoughts

This is a hard competition to model and predict. Thus we are going easy on it and picking only handful of players. To see our picks and model - sign in / get your "Green Jacket" as we like to say. We do not spam and work hard to bring well thought picks every week.

Here are the picks and preview of data for the week is here.

In addition, I'm looking for shorting Haotong Li, Jeremy Freiburghaus, Jonas Blixt if there's a spot. *All bets in Betfair Exchange. Sign up here.

Good luck for the week!