Linn Grant delivered a commanding performance at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, securing a three-stroke victory that underscored her consistency throughout the week. The Swedish golfer maintained remarkable control across the tournament, going more than 50 holes without a bogey until the final green on Sunday, long after the outcome of the game had been settled. Her closing round of 65 brought her to 19-under for the event, marking her second career LPGA win and her second time receiving a trophy from Annika Sörenstam, the host of the tournament.
The setting added extra meaning for Grant. The event, held at Pelican Golf Club in Florida, debuted in 2020 as the Pelican Women’s Championship and now carries Sörenstam’s name and mission. Grant grew up admiring the legendary Swedish golfer, attending clinics that Sörenstam hosted in Sweden and watching demonstrations that left a lasting impression. Years later, she found herself seated beside Sörenstam in the winner’s press conference, reflecting on how their paths had intertwined, from Grant’s childhood memories to lifting the trophy at an event celebrating Sörenstam’s career.
Grant’s victory came at an important point in her season. Though she had accumulated several top-10 finishes, she had not won since 2023. She noted that the fall stretch had been focused on maintaining belief in her approach and staying patient with her results. The steady play she demonstrated all week at Pelican reflected that mindset, as she pulled ahead early in the final round and never lost control of the leaderboard.
Jennifer Kupcho provided the closest challenge, matching Grant’s final-round 65 but unable to erase the margin. Kupcho briefly tied for the lead with a quick birdie on the opening hole, only for Grant to respond immediately and reassert herself. A pivotal moment came on the par-3 ninth, where Kupcho made her second bogey of the day while Grant converted a mid-range birdie to extend her advantage. From there, no player was able to close the gap.
Kupcho still left the week with a significant accomplishment. Her season-long performance secured the Aon Risk Reward Challenge title, earning her a $1 million bonus after an eagle earlier in the tournament helped lock in the top spot. Her results at Pelican added to what had already been a meaningful achievement across the year.
The Annika served as the penultimate event of the season, narrowing the Race to the CME standings to the top 60 players who would advance to the finale. Several golfers secured spots in dramatic fashion. Nataliya Guseva holed a wedge shot for eagle on the final hole to move safely into the top 60. Lucy Li made a final-hole birdie to climb to No. 58. Brooke Matthews produced one of the most eventful rounds of the week, making a hole-in-one on the par-3 12th, earning a two-year lease on a sports car, followed by an eagle two holes later. Her strong finish allowed her to claim the last available position for the season’s final event.
For Grant, the victory also extended her personal streak of capturing at least one title each year since 2020, spanning multiple tours around the world. Her win at Pelican reinforced the continuity of her career and added a meaningful chapter tied to the player she admired growing up. As the newest champion of The Annika, Grant’s performance fit seamlessly into a tournament built to honor excellence in women’s golf.
Sources: AP News, Sports Illustrated, The ANNIKA at Pelican
