TEMPE -- Arizona State freshman Linnea Strom may be entering her first NCAA Women's Golf Championship this weekend, but the bright lights and big stage is something she embraces according to head coach Missy Farr-Kaye.
"Linnea is a type of person that the bigger the stage, the better she's going to do," said Farr-Kaye. "I think that atmosphere will really benefit her, because I think she gears up for that and embraces that. She's not your typical freshman -- she's pretty seasoned. She's played in a significant amount of major and international tournaments. She's not inexperienced in any way."
The Swedish rookie -- who moved to No. 6 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings and No. 7 player by Golfstat.com -- left Tuesday for the NCAA Tournament starting on Friday, May 20 at the Eugene Country Club in Eugene, Ore. Strom will tee off on Friday at 12:55 p.m. and will have three rounds to solidify a spot in the final round on Monday, May 23 by being one of the top nine individuals not on a team.
The freshman is coming off a Pac-12 Individual Championship and a top-10 finish at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional. Through 30 rounds this season, Strom holds an under-par average of 71.93 and has finished in the top-10 in seven of 10 tournaments.
As Strom has gotten deeper into the season, she's shown veteran-like composure and champion-esque focus. Farr-Kaye says if she plays anything like she has the last month, Strom will be in the hunt.
"The mindset is the same for any tournament -- limit distractions," said Farr-Kaye. "It's a long week and you have to pace yourself and be patient. Linnea does all those things very well. It's a real benefit for a player of her mindset and her demeanor. Nothing flusters her and nothing upsets her. She's great at managing distractions and she's getting better every tournament."
Strom says not being able to play alongside her teammates will be an adjustment after traveling, eating and practicing with them all season. Farr-Kaye still says the opportunity for her is bittersweet.
"I think it's going to be a great opportunity for her to go and just play for herself," said Farr-Kaye. "It's a double-edged sword when playing as an individual. You get to focus on your own game and the schedule will be around her, but at the same time you miss having your team there."
Another factor many players will have to adjust to is the potential for bad weather in Oregon, as the forecast calls for rain Saturday through Monday. This, however, is nothing new for Strom who grew up playing in Sweden and Europe where bad weather is second nature.
"From a playing perspective, she's going to do great," said Farr-Kaye. "She's very used to playing in bad weather after coming from European conditions. I think she's going to have a very solid week. Hopefully she'll put herself into an opportunity to be in the hunt at the end."
In the hunt or not, the experience gained in just her freshman season will only pay dividends for her and the Sun Devils next season and beyond.
"Every opportunity you get to play in these types of tournaments, the more comfortable you get in that environment and on that stage," Farr-Kaye said. "To have one freshman have the opportunity to play this year is an advantage, so next year when we're there as a team, that just gives her that much more experience and maturity."
Golf Channel will televise the final round of stroke play on Monday, May 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
You can follow the entire weekend live on Golfstat.com here.