2026 European Solheim Cup captain, and three-time major champion, Anna Nordqvist is excited to be back competing this week along with a large number of former Arizona State Sun Devils at the Ford Championship, held near the ASU campus.
“Yeah, this is where I live and this is where my whole journey into professional golf started, getting an opportunity to come a play for Arizona State. It’s always a special feeling, like getting to sleep in your own bed this week,” said Nordqvist. “I love it and I think it’s awesome.”
Nordqvist is joined by fellow alums Carlota Ciganda, Azahara Muñoz, Linnea Ström and Linn Grant. Grant and Ström both followed in Nordqvist’s footsteps as Swedish natives that attended ASU.
Nordqvist has been impressed with the improvements made to the Arizona State golf programs, especially in relation to the new practice facility at Papago Golf Club, near where the Ford Championship is being held this week.
“I thought we had it good when I went to college, but it’s just amazing, the opportunities,” said Nordqvist. “I don’t know if you can find any better with the combination of the weather and the practice facilities for golf.”
Nordqvist is once again appreciative that golf is being played in the Valley of the Sun, after tournaments were not held in the area directly after the COVID-19 pandemic. She played in the pro-am with the owner of San Tan Ford Tim Hovik Wednesday and said she thanked him for making sure the LPGA was being played in Arizona.
Nordqvist tees it up at 12:28 local time along with Gaby Lopez and Nataliya Guseva, and should be in the coverage windown on Golf Channel.
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