Tarzana, April 15: Ingrid Lindblad returned to El Caballero Country Club, a venue that once buzzed with joy and celebration after her victory in the JM Eagle LA Championship last year. This time, she arrived with a mix of confidence and uncertainty.
The memories of her first LPGA Tour win linger, but so do feelings of doubt and emotional struggle. Recently, Lindblad opened up about her game challenges, expressing her frustration with not knowing where her shots will land. During a news conference, she candidly shared her experiences, revealing a particularly emotional moment when she shot an 82 at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
In a group with Stephanie Kyriacou, a simple remark from Kyriacou made Lindblad question her commitment to the sport. “I was like, ‘I’m not sure I want to come to the golf course tomorrow,’” she recalled, tears welling in her eyes. Despite her struggles, she chose to play, a decision she now appreciates.
Lindblad’s difficulties primarily stem from her driver. “I’ve had some big misses off the tee box,” she explained. She has been working hard to regain her confidence and trust in her game. “You can’t steer away from everything. It’s not going to work,” she said, emphasizing the importance of accepting that mistakes will happen.
Since her victory in L.A., Lindblad has faced a slump, with no top-10 finishes on the LPGA Tour. She tied for 26th at the CME Group Tour Championship and struggled at major tournaments, missing cuts and finishing low in the rankings.
Reflecting on her challenges, she identified a turning point at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship last year, where windy conditions affected her confidence. “I think it scarred me a little bit,” she admitted.
After a difficult start to the year, including consecutive missed cuts, Lindblad is focusing on her mental approach. “I’ve judged myself a lot based on my score,” she noted, aiming to separate her self-worth from her performance on the course.
Now back at El Caballero, Lindblad feels a sense of familiarity and hope. “I remember this hole. I remember what I did here,” she said after practicing on the course. She believes she is on the right path to overcoming her struggles.
“I feel like we’ve been working on some good things,” she stated, expressing optimism about her game. With renewed determination, Lindblad is ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
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