Sweden Wins World Amateur Championship


Sweden held the lead from start to finish to capture the Espirito Santo Trophy and win the 2008 Women's World Amateur Team Championship by 12 strokes over Spain and 14 over the USA. The event was held at the Grange Golf Club's East and West courses in Adelaide, Australia.

With a 3-under-par 69 from Anna Nordqvist and a 2-under 70 from Caroline Hedwall, the Swedes finished at 19-under-par 561, just three strokes off the lowest score in championship history set by the USA in 1998 (558). Their 12-stroke margin of victory was the most since the USA won by 21 in 1998.

"It's a fantastic feeling," Sweden's captain Walter Danewid said. "I am not surprised we are here because they are really good players. It's been advertised that this event would have the stars of tomorrow. They lived up to that."

Sweden, the only team to have finished in the top 10 in all 23 competitions, won its second championship after taking the victory in Puerto Rico in 2004. Their wire-to-wire win was the first in 18 years, since the USA did so in 1990. "I was asked: 'What is the secret to our success?" Danewid said. "It's hard work. There's no secret."

Spain finished second at 7-under 573 and could not make up the large deficit. "We tried as hard as we could," Spanish captain Macarena Campomanes, who was on two Espirito Santo winning teams. "But they were too many shots ahead."

The best move of the day came from the American team. Amanda Blumenherst shot a 4-under 68 and Tiffany Joh added a 3-under 69 for 137, the second-lowest final round score in history. The Americans posted the lowest score in the final 36 holes (279) in championship history, allowing them to jump from a tie for 17th after the first day to third place. "The first day was like the wind out of our sails,"' Blumenherst said. "We definitely fought back and played hard the last three days."

Canada finished fourth at 583, followed by Japan in fifth at 584, Germany in sixth at 585, England in seventh at 586, Netherlands and Denmark tied for eighth at 587 and defending champion South Africa in 10th at 588.

Although there is no individual recognition, Caroline Hedwall of Sweden was the low scorer at 10-under-par 280.

The above article was provided by the USGA.