Louise Rydqvist Reflects on Her LPGA Tour Debut

Alex Elias

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South Carolina Junior All-American Louise Rydqvist earned a Sponsor Exemption at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican via South Carolina's win at the 2023 ANNIKA Intercollegiate presented by 3M. Reflecting on her LPGA Tour debut, Rydqvist said, "I have been dreaming about the day I make my LPGA debut for a long time and to do it at Annika’s event was so extremely special. Annika and her husband welcomed me with open arms and I cannot thank them and the Annika Foundation enough for providing the exemption." 

As Rydqvist was born in Jönköping, Sweden, fellow Swede Annika Sörenstam has been Rydqvist's role model since a very young age. Rydqvist said, "Annika has always been a role model for me. I have now played in Annika’s events at every level, starting with the Annika Cup and the Annika Invitational Europe in Sweden, then Annika Intercollegiate and now The ANNIKA LPGA. I remember being at the Annika Cup at 14 years old, and she told us, 'Control the things you can control, and let the other things go,' which has been with me since. Last week she told me, 'You have done the work, now you just have to trust it and stay confident in your process,' and I carried that with me all week."

In a field that included eight of the Top 10 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and 15 of this season’s winners, including all four major champions, Rydqvist never appeared to be fazed by the pressure. Rydqvist said, "Golf is all about staying in the moment, and not getting ahead of yourself or being bothered over something in the past. I work closely with my mental coach and we have a couple of strategies that I use to remind myself to be in the present. Last week, I had my boyfriend on the bag and he kept reminding me to enjoy the moment which also helped a lot."

As Rydqvist made the cut, posted a Round 3 65, and finished T46, Rydqvist said, "I would say that my game tee-to-green was solid all week. Although, I’m most happy with how I handled the pressure and kept my head up all week."