Day one digest: Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik & Annika

Everything you need to know as history was made at Vallda Golf and Country Club.

Wolf was in the hunt, Horsfield chased her down, Harm impressed on and off the course and the home heroes put on a show on day one of the 2021 Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik & Annika.

Here is everything you need to know from Thursday in Gothenburg.

Wolf knocks at the door

Christine Wolf stole the show on day one as she completed a blistering back nine of 30 to get to eight under and become the first woman to lead a European Tour event. She was joined by Sam Horsfield by the end of play but the Austrian stole the headlines as she made six birdies and an eagle to seal her place in the history books. “We love competing against the guys, we’ve had a few mixed events at home," she said. "It’s just fun. At home there’s a lot of guys I play against, and I really like competing against them. I’ve been hitting it really well especially my drives, they’re down the middle. I know I can hit it really hard, and it will still stay straight. I’m trusting my game."

Horsfield gallops to the front

After two wins on the 2020 Race to Dubai, Horsfield missed the start of the 2021 season with a back problem but has not missed a beat since his return with two top fives and no missed cuts in his six events. The 24-year-old birdied all four of the par fives over the Gothenburg layout on day one and felt that was the key to his success. "It was just really solid," he said. "I haven’t really been taking advantage of the par fives this year, so that was my main goal. I hit every fairway and played them in four under today. That gets you going - four under right there, toss in a couple more and it’s eight under."

Harm finds the right formula

Leonie Harm may be modest about her efforts fighting Covid-19 but she had every reason to shout about her golf game after she fired an opening 67. During last year's first lockdown, she was using her academic prowess more than her golfing skills as she helped CureVac in their efforts to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. “I studied biochemistry at the University of Houston and we weren’t allowed to practice or play in Germany during the first lockdown," she said. "I wanted to make sure to help where help was needed. I didn’t do anything super important at CureVac, but I was a lab assistant and helped speed up the work." What an all rounder.

Norrman ready for lift off

Vincent Norrman revealed that the 2019 Scandinavian Invitation was the springboard for some impressive amateur form and he is now hoping that this year's event can do the same for his professional career. After missing the cut on his European Tour debut, the Swede went on to enjoy plenty of collegiate success in the United States, including an Arnold Palmer Cup victory in 2020. Now, with the paid ranks beckoning, he carded an opening 66 on home soil and surely more success is to follow. "It was great, a really fun day," he said. "It's always fun to play on home soil. I've been playing so much golf in the US: nationals, big events that I haven't thought about it much but I came to Sweden Saturday night and I was just eager to get out there really. I learned a lot that week (in 2019). After that I flew straight to college and I had a really good year. After that season I jumped the amateur rankings and all that good stuff so I think I learned a lot just from being around these guys and seeing how you match up."

The Aceman?

Imagine the roars if this had gone in with fans present. The gasps were audible enough with our limited audience when it didn't. So close, Henrik.

Not to be outdone.....

Annika's big putt on the last may not have been quite as spectacular but it brought an even bigger cheer from the small group gathered round the final green.