If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. South Carolina junior golfer Louise Rydqvist was a cool customer in winning her first individual collegiate tournament title, which was also named after her childhood hero, while helping the Gamecocks open the fall season by claiming the team title at the ANNIKA Intercollegiate Tournament earlier this month. Rydqvist’s 54-hole score of 208 was a career-best. Staying locked in over the course of three rounds isn’t easy, but Rydqvist has her own methods.
“It’s a lot of golf,” said Rydqvist, who is double majoring in business entrepreneurship and marketing, with a minor in sports media and is also a two-time Honorable Mention All-American with the Gamecocks. “I spoke with my mental coach the week before, and I told my coaches that I was going to wear my sunglasses no matter what the weather is. In between shots, I’ve got to keep my brain somewhere that’s not on the golf course all the time. I told my coaches, if you see me with my sunglasses on, you can talk to me, but don’t talk to me about golf. I kept them on and stayed in the zone, I guess.
“Coming off the first day where I shot 66, I went to sleep with the lead, and that’s really hard. It’s mentally draining. You still have 36 holes, and it’s tough. When you’re walking down 18, and you realize you have a chance (to win), that’s when you really enjoy it.”
As a fellow Swede, Rydqvist grew up being a big fan of LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, so it was only fitting that her first individual collegiate win came at the prestigious tournament, and the victory was even sweeter since her team also finished on top.
“It means everything to me,” Rydqvist said. “We’ve put in so much work every day. For it to pay off like that to start the year, it means so much to me. Winning individually is one thing, but winning with the team is huge.
“Annika has been such a role model for me since I’m also a Swede. It was also special having 3M sponsor that event because my mom works at 3M.”
Rydqvist has had the good fortune to meet Sorenstam a few times growing up as she played several tournaments named for legendary golfer.
“It’s a very special feeling to be able to walk up to her and just say, hey, how are you doing, in Swedish,” Rydqvist said. “After the last hole, her husband Facetimed her, and we spoke again after. She congratulated me and sent me a message on Instagram. I’m looking forward to seeing her down in Florida.”
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