Just a few years ago, Linnea Strom was swinging with her eyes closed.

You read that right. The 2021 LPGA Tour season was not kind to the Swede, making her doubt everything, including her love of the game of golf. She only made eight cuts in 21 starts that year, losing her card and having to head back to the Epson Tour in 2022.

But that’s where everything ultimately changed. On the “Road to the LPGA,” Strom found happiness on the golf course again, and it showed in her results. The Arizona State University alum made 15 cuts in 17 starts, added a second career Epson Tour victory to her resume and finished at the top of the Race for the Card, earning Player of the Year honors.

She was determined to get back to the LPGA Tour and stay there, a gritty attitude that carried her through that season competing on the Epson Tour and saw her regain status for the 2023 LPGA Tour season.

“I think it’s important to remember that everybody is going to go through a rough patch at some point in your career,” said Strom when she clinched her LPGA Tour card in 2022. “You just have to continue to work hard, and if this is really your dream, it is possible. You have to believe in it, work hard, and eventually, you will make it out there.”

In 2024, Strom finally made it to the winner’s circle on the biggest stage in women’s golf, as she picked up her third professional victory and the first of her LPGA Tour career at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer after carding a final-round 60 to win by one shot over Ayaka Furue and Megan Khang in New Jersey.

Outside of the win, the 28-year-old has earned one other top-10 finish in 2024 – a T7 result that came at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G. Both of those finishes helped Strom earn a spot in the CME Group Tour Championship, and she is teeing it up for the second time in her career this week at Tiburón Golf Club.

Before the tournament kicked off on Thursday, the Arizona resident was honored as a Rolex First-Time Winner at the Rolex Awards, reminding her of the sweet moment she got to have earlier this season and sparking some drive to stand in the winner’s circle once again on Tour. With the memories of her first victory fresh in her in mind, Strom fired an opening-round 68 and currently sits just outside the top 10 in a share of 11th.

“It's kind of fun to get reminded of the win that I had earlier this year,” said Strom. “Sometimes, I forget about it myself. I think it's just enjoying the moment, and it was a good reminder and kind of gave me some inspiration going into today to try and finish this year off good.”

Strom finds herself four shots back of first-round leader Narin An, who signed for an impressive 8-under 64 on day one. With 54 holes left to play in the LPGA Tour season, anything is possible for the 2022 Epson Tour graduate, who has more than proven that she has what it takes to compete and win alongside the LPGA Tour’s top talent.

Epson Tour Graduate Linnea Strom Starts CME Group Tour Championship Strong

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