It's not just empty words that come from Linn Grant's mouth before the amateur competition that ends with a round at the mythical Augusta National in Georgia.

Grant, ranked second in the world among amateurs, has played four competitions at the college level so far this year.

The result: three victories and a second place.

-It is clear that it gives self-confidence, but Augusta is a bit sharper than the competitions I have played so far.

It will be fun to see where I stand with the game I have now, says Grant, who studies at Arizona State University.

Linn Grant is accompanied by Ingrid Lindblad, Maja Stark and Beatrice Wallin in the competition, which is decided for the second time.

Last year's edition was canceled due to the pandemic, but now it's back as an appetizer ahead of the men's major premiere of The Masters at Augusta National.

Swedish hope for the future

The young blue and yellow quartet, which this summer took the third straight gold in the team European Championships, gives Swedish golf faith in the future and they have already shown that they keep pace in competition with the very best professionals.

In the US Open in December, all four got the chance in the same major and Grant was second halfway, got to test how it feels to go in the leader ball, but fell back to shared 23rd place in the end.

- I learned a lot from that competition, she says.

In the first edition of Augusta National Women's Amateur, which broke new ground when women competed for the first time at the Conservative club, Linn Grant, however, missed the qualifying limit.

Now is the time to take revenge and it is probably her last opportunity to play the competition - before the year is over, she expects to become a professional.

- I will go back to Arizona in August but will try to qualify for the LPGA tour in October-November.

If it goes as it should then I will not stay in college, says Grant.

The competition starts on Wednesday at the nearby Champions Retreat.

KLIPP: Sörenstam close to tears after competitors' tribute (March 1, 2021)

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Sörenstam close tears after the competitors' tribute