(In case you missed it, be sure to check out World Championships Preview Part 1 - Seniors).
The Speedgolf World Championships are approaching faster than a Pink Streak!
Let’s take the governor off this golf cart and put the pedal to the metal. I’ve spent days, nights, and weekends surveying stats and snooping on social media, trying to separate the contenders from the pretenders.
Today, we welcome the Women of Worlds! These lightning-fast ladies are here to show you that “hit like a girl” is a compliment of the highest order.
» The Quick and the Curious
Let’s address the elephant on the tee box: X-chromosomes are unfortunately rare in our sport. So we’re going for quality over quantity. Of our 14 fairway-flying females, I’ve dug up enough data to confidently rank the top 6.
As for the rest? Let’s think of them as dark horses. (Rapid rabbits?) According to my crystal golf ball (and way too many spreadsheets), these eight might not be podium-bound, but today’s back-of-the-pack could be tomorrow’s course crusher, so I hope all of them will take this as a formal invitation to prove me wrong!
Your 2024 honorable mentions: Misato Sekimata, Japan | Britta Uschkamp, Germany | Runa Pettersson, Sweden | Beverley Fentiman, UK | Kathy Leppard, UK | Gita Prajawati, Belgium | Nannick Bast, Netherlands | Valérie Texier, France
And now, the top six…
#6 Amy Linton, New Zealand | ⛳️ Steady Golf | ⏱️ Efficient Speed
Move over, Venus and Serena, there’s a new sibling rivalry in town! Astute viewers already know Amy Linton’s brother Robin Smith from the 2022 World Championships and World Cup. Some siblings squabble over the TV remote, but Amy and Robin settle their differences on the golf course. (According to rumors, Amy is the more talented sibling!)
With a nail-biter second place at the 2024 New Zealand Speedgolf Open, Amy’s serving notice: she’s not just Robin’s sister. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and a legitimate contender for the Worlds title.
Signature performances: 1st at Cape Kidnappers Invitational, 2nd at New Zealand Open
#5 芳賀恵夏 Keika Haga, Japan | ⛳️ Steady Golf | 🏃♂️ Swift Speed
Keika Haga, “The Pacific Prodigy”, is a high school student with serious speedgolf pedigree. A year ago at the 700 Club, she shot 70 (-2) in 60 minutes to secure back-to-back Japanese Speedgolf Open titles. The other members of the top tier may have a few more years of experience, but they underestimate Haga-san at their own risk.
Signature performances: 1st at Ibaraki Open, 2st at Nagoya Bayside Classic, 1st at Japan Open 2022 and 2023
Golf Ratings Key:
🏆 Elite (best) | ⛳️ Steady | 👍 Competent | ⚠️ Inconsistent | 🚨 Liability (worst)Speed Ratings Key:
🚀 Supersonic (best) | 🏃♂️ Swift | ⏱️ Efficient | 🐢 Leisurely | 🥵 Winded (worst)#4 Liz McKinnon, New Zealand | ⛳️ Steady Golf | 🏃♂️ Swift Speed
Liz McKinnon is undefeated. She’s won the New Zealand Speedgolf Open 9/9 times she’s entered, including a come-from-behind victory in the 2024 event over the aforementioned Amy Linton.
McKinnon, owner of the Women’s world record (72 in 49:25 = 121:25) is still looking for her first Worlds title. The former Ladies European Tour player will face the toughest competition of her career in Japan.
Signature performances: 1st at New Zealand Open, 1st at Northland Open
#3 Lauren Cupp, United States | 🥇 2018 World Champ | 🏆 Elite Golf | ⏱️ Efficient Speed
What can I say about Lauren Cupp that you don’t already know? She’s the most famous, most decorated woman in speedgolf. I’m honored to count Lauren as a friend. Between appearances on The Today Show and even a Korean speedgolf reality show, she even found time to join me for the 2022 World Championships broadcast.
She’s the owner of the women’s American record, shooting a 72 in 50:48. And, as you’ll see below, she’s got her work cut out for her if she wants to hoist the Worlds trophy one more time.
Signature performances: 1st at US Open, 1st at Missouri Open
» 🌏 Help Speedgolf Baby at Worlds 📽️
Do you want a front row seat to an elite speedgolfer’s round? Do you want to contribute to the 2024 World Championships broadcast? If so, I’d be extremely grateful if YOU would consider being a camera operator at the World Championships.
I really don’t like asking for help. But I can’t deny the truth — I need help. There are going to be amazing performances at Worlds, but if we don’t have cameras rolling, those moments will be lost forever.
If you’re interested, reply to this email and I’ll share more details.
⛳🏃🏌🔥
On to the favorites!
#2 Milla Hallanoro, Finland | 🥇 2022 World Champ | ⛳️ Steady Golf | 🏃♂️ Swift Speed
Milla Hallanoro, “The Suomi Speedster”, or “the Liz McKinnon of Finland”, won her 8th Finnish speedgolf title this year. She lights up golf courses faster than the Northern Lights. She surprised herself by coming from behind to beat Lauren Cupp at the 2022 World Championships, putting a target on her back like the yellow jersey at the Tour de France.
Like many of us who live at higher latitude, it’s around this time of year that Milla traditionally hangs up her running shoes in favor of cross country skis — passing reindeer like they’re standing still. I’m guessing that with Worlds looming, she’s delayed the start of ski season and booked some simulator time instead.
Still, if there’s one thing that’s going to make Milla sweat more than a Finnish sauna, it’s the next golfer on the list…
Signature performances: 1st at Finnish Championships, 1st at Hyvinkaa, 1st at Worlds 2022
#1 Emily Mollard, France | 🏆 Elite Golf | 🏃♂️ Swift Speed
Emily Mollard — the French phenom who’s threatening to turn the World Championships into her own personal playground.
Sure, she’s won the last three French Speedgolf Opens (including a head-to-head victory over Lauren Cupp in 2023), but what has she done lately??? Oh nothing much…
According to a rumor I made up, if Emily wins Worlds, they’re going to rename the 700 Club “Emily’s Express Lane”. Anyone who wants to beat her needs to bring their running shoes and their A-game.
And there you have it, folks - the fast and fabulous femmes of the Speedgolf World Championships! Stay tuned for the Open division power ranks, coming soon to your inbox. Be sure to add your email address to the list if you haven’t already.
Until next time, may your drives be long and your rounds be short!