Sylvania, OH) Sun Devil Women’s Golf standout Linn Grant is the 2023 Dana Open Champion, capturing her first career LPGA Tour victory.
The two-time All-American at Arizona State becomes the latest product of Sun Devil Women’s Golf to win at the sport’s highest level. Grant put together one of the most decorated two-year careers in the history of the program and her success has continued as a professional.
“We are so happy for Linn winning her first LPGA tournament,” Sun Devil Women’s Golf Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye exclaimed. “She has a great future ahead of her and we believe this win is just the first of many accomplishments. Sun Devil Women’s Golf will always be her second family in the USA and her biggest fans!”
To win the Dana Open, Grant put together a vintage performance recognizable to many Sun Devil fans. Grant earned four victories (at four consecutive tournaments) while in Tempe and was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the nation heading into the 2021 NCAA Championships. She earned her first victory on the LPGA Tour by shooting an incredible -21, defeating 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz by three strokes.
An opening round 64 (-7) was a sign of things to come, as she was tied for the lead after a brilliant first 18 holes. She entered Saturday even with Corpuz and several others at the top, but no one would be able to keep pace with Grant’s spectacular third round performance. She flirted with a 59 for a majority of the round, eventually carding an incredible 62 (-9) to take the lead. Despite facing tremendous pressure and a push from several trailing golfers, Grant remained in quality form, capping the tournament with a 68 (-3) to seal the win.
It did not take long for Grant to prove she belonged on the LPGA Tour. In only her fourth event, she joins recent Sun Devil Legends Anna Nordqvist, Carlota Ciganda, and Azahara Munoz in winning at the LPGA level. The Sun Devil Women’s Golf program has produced golfers that have won over 50 LPGA events, led by JoAnne Gunderson Carner’s 19, which ranks 15th all-time in the history of the sport.
Grant was not the only Sun Devil that enjoyed success at the Dana Open, as Arizona State is represented consistently at the top of the tournament standings week-to-week. Both Carlota Ciganda (T12th) and Linnea Strom (T15th) put together strong efforts that yielded them a Top-20 finish. By virtue of Grant’s victory, she collects $262,500, adding to the over $40 million of total earnings from Sun Devils on the LPGA Tour.
Her fellow Sun Devil and Swedish product and reigning EPSON Tour Player of the YearLinnea Strom helped her celebrate the title after Grant sank a birdie putt to clinch the win.
/// THREE STRIPE LIFE ///
“Having worn adidas during my time at Arizona State, I’m extremely excited to be joining the 3-Stripe family as a professional,” Grant mentioned back in March of 2022. “I’m proud to be joining such a tremendous roster of great players and I’m looking forward to wearing the amazing product adidas has to offer.”
As was the case during her four victories at Arizona State, Grant was wearing adidas during her Dana Open Title run. She continues to be one of the faces of the adidas golf brand.
WHILE AT ASU
Two-time First Team All-American Linn Grant made the most of her time in Tempe, putting together one of the best two-year careers of any player in NCAA history. The native of Viken, Sweden came to Arizona State as a highly-touted recruit and immediately lived up to the expectations. After completing one of the best freshman seasons by a Sun Devil, Grant managed to build upon that with a brilliant sophomore season.
Grant put together a debut 2019-20 season that put her on the national collegiate map and belongs in the discussion of one of the top freshman campaigns in school history. She was recognized as a WGCA First Team All-American and Golfweek Second Team All-American after finishing in the Top-10 at five of her seven tournaments. She took home individual medalist honors while leading her team to a victory at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational, the only Sun Devil to pick up an individual win in 2020.
It was a breakout sophomore season that cemented her legacy as one of the all-time greats. She reached the No. 1 spot in the Golfstat Rankings heading into the 2021 NCAA Championship, the first in program history to do so. The two-time WGCA Player of the Year candidate and 2021 ANNIKA Finalist was the Pac-12 Golfer of the Month in March of 2021 and a First Team All-Conference selection this past year. She led Arizona State to their second Match Play appearance in program history at the 2021 NCAA Championships, with the Sun Devils finishing tied for fifth, the highest finish since the 2017 National Championship run.
The consistency shown by Grant was a big reason why she racked up so many accolades, as she finished in the Top-10 in 12 of 16 career events. At the 2021 Clover Cup, Grant became only the second Sun Devil in program history to win four consecutive tournaments, a streak that dated back to a win last season at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational. She joined Brandie Burton from the legendary 1989-90 season, which resulted in Arizona State’s first women’s golf NCAA Championship. In that span, Grant also won the Bruin Wave Invitational and Sun Devil Winter Classic, putting her in elite company with three wins in a single-season.
Under the tutelage of Head Coach Missy Farr-Kaye and Associate Head Coach Michelle Estill, Grant thrived like many European players to recently come through the Sun Devil program. The relationship and bond that was built with the coaching staff was a key reason why Grant decided to come to ASU and improve her game.
Press Release courtesy of Sun Devil Athletics – Connor Smith
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