Linn Grant or Madelene Sagström to the OS in Paris?
After the first round of the European tour tournament in Sweden, it's an advantage for Grant.
The two golf stars went into the large public gallery in the morning when the Scandinavian Mixed – European tour tournament, where women and men compete against each other – got underway at Vasatorps GK outside Helsingborg.
Neither Linn Grant, 24, nor Madelene Sagström, 31, wants to portray it as a fight for a spot at the summer's Paris Olympics.
The two top-ranked blue-and-yellow women golfers in the world rankings get to go to France in the summer. Maja Stark – not participating in the tournament in Sweden – is ranked 17th in the world and has a grip on one ticket.
Behind her, Grant (ranked 32nd) and Sagström (35th) are fighting for the second spot. The duo plays together – along with Jesper Svensson (-4) – over the first two days, making it extra interesting. At least for outsiders.
After the first day's play, it's an advantage for Grant, who is in the top after five shots under par.
Sagström had a good round going, but had to settle for a shot under par.
Sagström played the Olympics in Tokyo 2021 – Anna Nordqvist was the second Swedish women's golfer – and she'd love to play Olympic golf again.
After the tournament in Sweden, there are only two tournaments left on the LPGA tour in the US before the women's Olympic spots are sealed after midsummer. Sagström will play both, but Grant is satisfied with the last one, the PGA Championship.
The two highest-ranked Swedish women and men on the world rankings get to play in the Olympics in Paris in the summer.
The women's qualifying period ends after midsummer on June 23 – the men's qualifying period runs until June 17.
On the men's side, world No. 6 Ludvig Åberg has already been selected by Sweden's Olympic Committee. Behind him, Alex Norén has a firm grip on the second spot.
Top Swedish women on the world rankings:
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Maja Stark, 3.54 points
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Linn Grant, 2.80
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Madelene Sagström, 2.44
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Anna Nordqvist, 1.74
Top Swedish men:
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Ludvig Åberg, 5.50 points
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Alex Norén, 2.03
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Sebastian Söderberg, 1.18
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Alexander Björk, 1.11
