PAID TO PLAY
6/9/2009 8:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
KUNGSBACKA, Sweden ? One check after one tournament and many more are expected for Malin Thorberg, the former California Baptist University women's golfer who took third at the 2009 NAIA National Championship. The Sweden native, who turned pro after the national tournament, picked up her first prize by finishing in a tie for sixth at the Fredrik Jacobson Masters Powered by Telenor.
Thorberg shot a 77 on the first day of the tournament before shooting her tournament low 74 in day two. She finished with a 78 on the final day for a total score of 229 which was just four shots back from second place Madeleine Augustsson who shot a 225. Nina Reis won the tournament with a 219.
“The first day of the tournament was stormy and it took nearly seven hours to play 18 holes,” said Thorberg. “It was frustrating, but I played ok for being as windy as it was. The second day the weather was better and I was able to get into the leader group on the final day. I got to play with a couple of girls from the European Tour. I was a little nervous with the cameras following us, but played well enough to finish sixth.”
Thorberg earned $1,300 for her first tournament and 9,150 points on the SAS Master's Tour.
“We are so proud of Malin,” said CBU head coach Lane Pace. “Its great to see all of the hard work that she has put in begin to pay dividends. We know that the sky is the limit with her and on behalf of CBU and its golf programs we will continue to pray for blessings on Malin and her game.”
Thorberg said she plans on playing on the Swedish Tour until October and then will try to qualify for the European Tour through the rest of 2009.
“My goal is to make the European Tour in the next couple of years if not this one,” said Thorberg. “It is great to be back home, but I really miss everyone back at CBU. The weather in California was great for me being able to improve my game and really helped me gain strength and confidence.”
