At the conclusion of Round 1 of the Major Champions Invitational, ANNIKA alumna Linn Grant leads the girls division and is in solo second for the tournament. While many struggled with the windy conditions, Grant didn’t seem to be bothered. The Viken, Sweden native, carded a seven-under-par 65 after starting the round with an eagle on No. 2 followed by back-to-back birdies. She finished with a birdie on No. 18 and carded only one bogey for the day. Grant is one back from the leader, Julian Perico of Team Daly.
The first annual Major Champions Invitational boasts a field featuring some of the best male and female amateur players from around the world. Of the 78 players featured in the field, 21 are ANNIKA alumnae including four juniors who were picked by Annika to represent her.
Jiayi Wang of Shanghai, China, started the round with an eagle on No. 2. Despite some trouble as she made her way to the turn, Wang managed to stay focused and shot back-to-back birdies on Nos. 14 and 15. The 14-year-old finished one-over-par and is tied for 21st.
Last years ANNIKA Invitational Europe Champion Amanda Linner made the turn at even par after carding two birdies and a double bogey on the front nine. Linner, who is ranked 25th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, fought through the windy conditions and carded a two-over-par 74. The Swedish native is tied for 25th.
Puerto Rico’s Valeria Pacheco shot four-over-par finishing round one tied for 37th and Elizabeth Wang is tied for 68th after carding an 11-over-par 83.
This puts Team Sorenstam at seven-over-par after the first round, using the best three individual scores as the team score.
The second round will take place Tuesday, March 13 at Bella Collina in Montverde, Florida. Follow long with live scoring.