New Zealand’s Momoka Kobori leads the way in the opening round at the Hills Open, firing four-under-par (67) at Hills Golf & Sports Club.
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In windy and testing conditions, the 26-year-old rose to the challenge and was able to set the early pace in Sweden.
Kobori had a steady front nine with one birdie on the sixth hole, but made an impressive statement on the back nine, with three back-to-back birdies on 11, 12, and 13. She then dropped a shot on 14, but bounced back with a birdie on the next hole.
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Reflecting on her round, she said: “It was pretty tough out there with the wind. Before the round, I wanted to just go out and try to keep a good attitude and stay as patient as possible. I knew it was going to be tough out there on a tough golf course. I was able to make some really good pars and then once the opportunities came, I was able to capitalise on them. It was a game of patience out there.
“It doesn’t really take a whole lot for things to go wrong and for the big numbers to sneak into play. I think it’s key to try and play smart and eliminate the big numbers, which I think for the most part, I did reasonably well today.”
This week, Kobori has Robbie Muir on the bag which she said has been a really positive factor for today.
She continued: “He’s been great. I’ve just mentioned about playing smart golf and he’s a big part of that, so it’s been really good. He’s been doing a good job of keeping me patient and having a few laughs out on the course. It’s always helpful. I’m looking forward to tomorrow again with him on the bag.”
A total of seven players sit in a tie for second place, including three players from Sweden, who all fired opening rounds of 68 (-3). This included Swede amateur Meja Ortengren, compatriots Linda Wessberg and Lisa Pettersson, Norway’s Madelene Stavnar, England’s Alice Hewson, France’s Nastasia Nadaud, and Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes.
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Amateur Ortengren made four birdies across the first 18 holes and dropped her only shot of the day on the 17th hole.
“I missed quite a few greens today, but I made up and down on almost every single one of them so that was good”, said the Swede. “The wind started blowing quite a lot, so I just tried to adjust as well as I could and make good decisions.”
The 20-year-old is one of three Swedes to have competed at the PING Junior Solheim Cup, lifting the prestigious trophy in both 2021 and 2023. She has also won on the LET Access Series (PGA Championship Trelleborg in 2022) as an amateur.
This week, she enjoys strong home support, with her family in attendance, her brother on the bag, and her coach. “My family haven’t seen me play golf in quite a while, so that’s quite fun too,” she said. In September, the Swede will return to Stanford University for her second year.
Wessberg started her campaign strong at her home course. The three-time LET winner has been a Hills Golf member for 15 years and is using that to her advantage this week.
“It’s extremely tough out there today. I play here a lot, but we usually don’t have this wind direction, so it’s completely new for me as well”, she said.
She is joined by her 10-year-old daughter Sigrid this week. “She just wants to go and hold hands all the time, but I need to keep her off the fairways”, she said laughing. “It’s nice as I feel more relaxed.”
Pettersson, who started the day on the 10th tee, had a mixed front and back nine, including an eagle on 18, six birdies, three bogeys, and a double-bogey, to finish strong at the end of day one.
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“I think it was a really solid day, especially from the tee”, she said. “Then I missed a few short putts, but I also made a few a little bit longer, so it evens out. So I’m happy with my game. It’s very windy out there and the greens are pretty fast, so it makes it really tough to putt.”
The LET winner, who claimed her maiden tour victory at the Helsingborg Open, has once again shown her ability to perform strong on home soil.
She continued: “I think I’m just relaxed. I have my family here and I’m having fun. It’s also nice to talk to all the volunteers in Swedish. The way the courses are designed here suits my game too.”
Despite the tough conditions, Stavnar had a steady opening round in Sweden, carding five birdies across the first 18 holes.
