Henderson Rookie Caroline Hedwall has won two LET events so far this season

LET rookie Caroline Hedwall is currently leading the Greens in Regulation statistics across all the major golf tours; the Ladies European Tour, the European Tour, the LPGA Tour, the Asian Tour and PGA Tour. She is currently averaging an 82.03% success rate which has been calculated over a qualifying 612 holes, or 11 tournaments, this year.

Ahead of the likes of Paula Creamer, Yani Tseng, Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson and Justin Rose, Hedwall is statistically the best iron player in the world at the moment.

In an exceptional first year so far as a professional golfer, Henderson Rookie Hedwall has won New South Wales Open on the Australian Ladies Professional Golf tour on her pro debut in January, as well as taking two LET tournament titles; the Ladies Slovak Open in May, and the Finnair Masters in June. She also upstaged major champions and Ryder Cup stars by winning the inaugural PowerPlay Golf event at Celtic Manor in Wales. Hedwall is currently listed third on the Henderson Money List, and 9th out of 82 in the Solheim Cup standings, for which she could be called up to represent Europe in September.

Hedwall is sponsored by Henderson Global Investors, who support the top three LET rookies to qualify for the tour each year. Henderson, who also sponsor the Official LET Money List, are now in their fifth year of supporting newcomers to the tour, helping them to cope financially with the pressures of their first year as professional golfers.

Hedwall’s fellow 2011 Henderson Rookies are Stacey Keating (AUS) and Jaclyn Sweeney (USA). Both of the girls are enjoying a successful start to their careers, in 42nd and 65th place on the Henderson Money List respectively. Keating in particular has flourished this summer, achieving recent finishes of equal eighth at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open, tied ninth at the Tenerife Ladies Match Play and 15th at the Finnair Masters. 

Richard Wilson, Marketing Director at Henderson Global Investors said “We are proud to be supporting Caroline Hedwall, Stacey Keating and Jaclyn Sweeney in their first year on the Ladies European Tour. We have been delighted with the girls’ success so far, and in particular would like to congratulate Caroline on her growing list of achievements. To be half way through her rookie year and to have won two LET titles and also the PowerPlay tournament is a stunning accomplishment.

Henderson’s sponsorship of the Rookies has gone from strength to strength since we became involved in 2007. The benefits of having a supportive sponsor from early on in a young golfer’s career is demonstrated by the achievements of the Henderson Rookies of the past five years, including Anna Nordqvist (2009) who won a major in her first year, and Kristie Smith (2010) and Christel Boeljon (2009) who have both had success on the Tour this year, winning individual LET titles.”  

Green in regulation Averages as at week commencing July 11:

European Tour Green in regulation Averages:

  • Luke Donald, Green in Regulation Av: 79.37 after 7 events
  • Charl Schwartzel = 68.69% after 12 events
  • Rory McElroy = 75.69% after 9 events
  • Lee Westwood = 71.69 after 11 events

LPGA Tour Green in Regulation Averages:

  • Paula Creamer: 75.7%
  • Yani Tseng: 75.0%
  • Suzan Petersen: 72. 7%
  • Shangshan Feng: 72.2%

PGA Tour Green in Regulation Averages:

  • Bubba Watson: 72.43 % after 53 rounds
  • David Toms: 71.86% after 50 rounds
  • Justin Rose: 71.56% after 52 rounds
  • Hunter Mahan: 71.11% after 63 rounds

About Henderson Global Investors:

Established in 1934, Henderson Global Investors is a leading independent global asset management firm. The company provides its institutional, retail and high net-worth clients with access to skilled investment professionals representing a broad range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, property and private capital.  Headquartered in London, Henderson is one of Europe’s largest investment managers, with £60,452 million assets under management (as at 31 March 2011); pro forma AUM as at 31 March, including Gartmore, £76,167 million and employs around 1,100 people worldwide. For further information on Henderson Global Investors, please go to www.henderson.com.

About Henderson Rookies of the past:

  • 15 Rookies sponsored since 2007
  • 14 still playing on the Tour
  • 10 tournament victories:

Anna Nordqvist – McDonald’s LPGA Championship, June 2009

Anna Nordqvist – 2011 European Nations Cup

Kristie Smith – New Zealand Ladies Open, February 2011

Christel Boeljon – Turkish Ladies Open, May 2011

Christel Boeljon – Nations Cup, 2009

Krystle Caithness – 2009 Dubai Ladies Pro-Am

Caroline Hedwall – New South Wales Open (Australian Ladies Professional Golf Tour), January 2011

Caroline Hedwall – Ladies Slovak Open, May 2011

Caroline Hedwall – PowerPlay, May 2011

Caroline Hedwall – Finnair Masters, June 2011