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." 

Born in Jönköping, Sweden, Rydqvist has looked up to fellow Swede Annika Sörenstam as a role model from a very young age.

"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," said Rydqvist. 

In a field featuring eight of the Top 10 players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and 15 winners from this season, including all four major champions, Rydqvist never appeared fazed by the pressure.

"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," said Rydqvist.

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."