The Swedish Match Play Championship is a golf tournament played since 1904, held for both men and women. It is the oldest and most traditional golf tournament in Sweden.[1] The name SM is a Swedish abbreviation for Svenska Mästerskapet 'Swedish Championship'.

SM Match
Tournament information
LocationSkövde, Sweden
Established1904
Course(s)Skövde Golfklubb
Par72
Length6,747 yards (6,169 m)
Tour(s)Challenge Tour
Nordic Golf League
Swedish Golf Tour
FormatStroke play and match play
Prize fundkr 450,000
Month playedJuly
Tournament record score
Score6 and 5 Mark Haastrup (2016)
Current champion
Sweden Oliver Gillberg
Sweden Sofie Bringner
Location map
Skövde Golfklubb is located in Sweden
Skövde Golfklubb
Skövde Golfklubb
Location in Sweden

History

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From the first tournament in 1904 (for men) and 1911 (for women) until 1983, it was an amateur tournament, from 1910 open only for Swedish citizens, and the winner was the official Swedish champion. Since 1984, except 1985, the tournament has been open to both amateurs and professionals and for foreign citizens.

If a foreigner wins, the best placed Swedish player becomes Swedish champion of the year.

The men's tournament is part of the Swedish Golf Tour since 1986 and the Nordic Golf League since 1999. It featured on the Challenge Tour between 1990 and 1999. The women's tournament is part of the women's Swedish Golf Tour since 1986.

The first tournament was held 9–10 October 1904, organized by Göteborgs Golfklubb (Gothenburg Golf Club) at the newly built 6 hole Hovås Course. Only players from the home club took part, despite there were two clubs in the country, one in Stockholm also.[2]

From 1907 to 1966, the final in the men's tournament was played over 36 holes. In 1949 and in 1950, the men's tournament began with 36 holes stroke play, were the 8 best players qualified for the match play competition. From 1932 to 1983, the final in the women's tournament was played over 36 holes.[3]

In 2012 the format was again changed from pure match play to 36 hole stroke play followed by match play for the 32 best men and 16 best women respectively.[4][5]

In 2020, the men's and women's tournaments were, for the first time, played at different venues and at different dates.

Most victories in the men's tournament are won by Elis Werkell, with six wins. Most victories in the women's tournament are won by Liv Wollin (née Forsell) with ten wins.

Swedish champion

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Each year a Swedish champion award is given to the highest finishing Swede at the conclusion of the tournament. The Swedish Champion in the men's category has always came from the final match, except in 1997 and 2017, when Raimo Sjöberg (1997) and Joakim Rask (2017) finished as the highest finishing Swedes without making the final.

In the women's category, Karolina Andersson in 2002, Caroline Hedwall in 2007 and Ellen Hutchinson-Kay in 2022 were crowned Swedish champions without winning the tournament.

Winners

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Men's winners

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Year Tour[a] Winner Score Runner-up
SM Match
2024 NGL   Oliver Gillberg 20 holes   Simon Hovdal (a)
Big Green Egg Swedish Matchplay Championship
2023 NGL   Axel Bóasson (2) 1 up   Felix Pålson
2022 NGL   Mathias Gladbjerg 1 up   Felix Jordansson
2021 NGL   Sebastian Petersen 3 and 2   Adam Blommé
SM Match
2020 SWE   Martin Eriksson 1 up   Oscar Lengdén
2019 NGL   Oliver Gillberg 19 holes   Christopher Feldborg Nielsen
2018 NGL   Christian Gløët 5 and 4   Sebastian Hansson
2017 NGL   Axel Bóasson 3 and 1   Daniel Løkke
2016 NGL   Mark Haastrup 6 and 5   Niclas Johansson
2015 NGL   Björn Hellgren 3 and 2   Anton Wejshag
2014 NGL   Patrick O'Neill 4 and 3   Christopher Feldborg Nielsen
2013 NGL   Jesper Kennegård 1 up   Joakim Lagergren
2012 NGL   Jesper Billing 3 and 2   Joakim Lagergren
2011 NGL   Niklas Bruzelius 2 and 1   Mathias Johansson
2010 NGL   Christian Aronsen 21 holes   Tony Edlund
2009 NGL   Tony Edlund 2 and 1   Wilhelm Schauman
2008 NGL   Åke Nilsson 3 and 2   Christian Aronsen
2007 NGL   Andreas Andersson 1 up   Niklas Bruzelius
2006 NGL   Andreas Ljunggren (a) 1 up   Jonas Wåhlstedt (a)
2005 NGL   Mattias Nilsson   David Jonsson
2004 NGL   Magnus A. Carlsson 3 and 2   Per Larsson (a)
2003 NGL   Andreaz Lindberg 3 and 2   Jonas Wåhlstedt (a)
2002 NGL   Fredrik Orest 4 and 2   Markus Westerberg
2001 NGL   Fredrik Widmark 19 holes   Yngve Nilsson
2000 NGL   Björn Pettersson 1 up   Johan Möller
Öhrlings Swedish Matchplay
1999 CHA   Kalle Brink 19 holes   Henrik Stenson
1998 CHA   Kevin Carissimi 2 and 1   Mattias Eliasson
1997 CHA   Gregory Garbero 2 up   Elliot Boult
SM Match Play
1996 CHA   Adam Mednick 2 and 1   Freddie Jacobson
1995 CHA   Peter Thörn 4 and 2   Niclas Björnsson
1994 CHA   Per Nyman 1 up   Joakim Grönhagen
1993 CHA   Per Haugsrud 2 and 1   Joakim Nilsson
1992 CHA   José Cantero 2 up   Kenny Cross
1991 CHA   Mathias Grönberg 19 holes   Mats Sterner
1990 CHA   Eoghan O'Connell 3 and 2   Per-Ulrik Johansson
1989 CHA   Magnus Grankvist (2) 2 and 1   Yngve Nilsson
SM Match Trygg-Hansa Cup
1988 SWE   Mikael Krantz 1 up   Anders Gillner
1987 SWE   Carl-Magnus Strömberg 1 up   Johan Ryström
1986 SWE   Magnus Grankvist 3 and 2   John Lindberg
Svenska Mästerskapet Match Play[b]
1985   Yngve Nilsson (a) 2 and 1   Mikael Krantz (a)
1984   Mats Lanner 2 and 1   Magnus Persson
1983   K-G Drotz 4 and 2   Thomas Andersson
1982   Björn Svedin (2) 6 and 5   Torbjörn Antevik
1981   Göran Knutsson (2) 2 and 1   Nils Lindeblad
1980   Göran Knutsson 2 and 1   Jan Grönkwist
1979   Björn Svedin 2 and 1   Jonas Brundin
1978   Mikael Sorling (2) 2 and 1   Krister Kinell
1977   Mikael Sorling 4 and 2   Anders Johnsson
1976   Bo Häggström 2 and 1   Jan Svensson
1975   Göran Lundqvist 1 up   Olle Dahlgren
1974   Jan Rube 5 and 4   Thomas Bergström
1973   Magnus Lindberg 5 and 4   Jan Wågnert
1972   Claes Jöhncke 3 and 2   Michael Örtegren
1971   Hans Hedjerson (2) 1 up   Jan Rube
1970   Hans Hedjerson 5 and 4   Roy Syle
1969   Jan Rosell (2) 5 and 3   Claes Lindholm
1968   Jan Rosell 1 up   Thure Holmström
1967   Johan Jöhncke (2) 5 and 4   Thure Holmström
1966   Thure Holmström 8 and 7   P. O. Johansson
1965   Johan Jöhncke 38 holes   Hans Hedjerson
1964   Lennart Leinborn (3) 4 and 3   P. O. Johansson
1963   Göran Göransson 2 and 1   Lars Hall
1962   P. O. Johansson 8 and 6   Göran Stenport
1961   Lennart Leinborn (2) 4 and 3   Bengt Möller
1960   Rune Karlfeldt 8 and 7   Nils Gustavsson
1959   Bengt Möller 39 holes   Göran Lindeblad
1958   Lennart Leinborn 5 and 4   Ola Bergqvist
1957   Göran Lindeblad 5 and 4   Rune Karlfedt
1956   Gustaf Adolf Bielke 10 and 8   Lennart Roos
1955   Elis Werkell (6) 3 and 2   Göran Lindeblad
1954   Gunnar Carlander 4 and 2   Ola Bergqvist
1953   Elis Werkell (5) 3 and 2   Bengt Möller
1952   Elis Werkell (4) 8 and 7   Carl-Reinhold Ulff
1951   Bengt Carlsson 1 up   Elis Werkell
1950   Elis Werkell (3) 5 and 4   Jan Nathorst-Westfelt
1949   Elis Werkell (2) 4 and 3   Gunnar Friberg
1948   Finn Sörvik (5) 37 holes   Elis Werkell
1947   Elis Werkell 3 and 1   Gustaf Adolf Bielke
1946   Finn Sörvik (4) 4 and 3   Edvard Brändström
1945   Finn Sörvik (3) 9 and 8   Eric Bengtsson
1944   Finn Sörvik (2) 3 and 2   Nils Odqvist
1943   Edvard Brändström 1 up   Sten Arnberg 
1942   Erik Röhss 3 and 2   Nils Odqvist
1941   Bo Herion 3 and 2   Erik Runfelt
1940: No tournament
1939   Knut Sörvik 5 and 4   Hugo Runfelt
1938   Sune Malmström (3) 4 and 3   Hugo Runfelt
1937   Hugo Runfelt (8) 2 and 1   Erik Runfelt
1936   Sune Malmström (2) 6 and 5   Elof Runfelt
1935   Hugo Runfelt (7) 2 up   Stig Boström
1934   Erik Runfelt (6) 3 and 1   Gunnar Peterson
1933   Stig Boström 5 and 4   Gunnar Edstrand
1932   Sune Malmström 6 and 4   Georg Svensson
1925–1931: No tournament
1924   Gunnar Edstrand (2) 8 and 7   Erik Thorén
1923   Gunnar Edstrand 8 and 7   Elof Runfelt
1922   Carl Rydbeck (3) 6 and 5   Gunnar Edstrand
1921   Erik Runfelt (5) 6 and 5   Knut Lignell
1920   Carl Rydbeck (2) 6 and 5   Georg Pettersson
1919   Hans Beck-Friis (2) 1 up   Erik Runfelt
1918   Erik Runfelt (4) 9 and 7   Hans Beck-Friis
1917   Erik Runfelt (3) 2 up   Hans Beck-Friis
1916   Hans Beck-Friis 11 and 9   Gunnar Bauer
1915   Carl Rydbeck 8 and 6   Hans Beck-Friis
1914   Knut Lignell 37 holes   Georg Pettersson
1913   Erik Runfelt (2) 6 and 4   Carl Rydbeck
1912   Erik Runfelt 13 and 11   Carl Rydbeck
1911   Tor Törnsten (5) 3 and 2   Erik Runfelt
1910   Tor Törnsten (4) 37 holes   Erik Runfelt
1909   Tor Törnsten (3) 4 and 2   D. von Braun
1908   J. Harvey 9 and 8   Tor Törnsten
1907   Tor Törnsten (2) 11 and 10   Viktor Setterberg
1906   Tor Törnsten 4 and 2   Viktor Setterberg
1905   Andrew Armstrong 3 and 1   Viktor Setterberg
1904   Teodor Åkermark 8 and 6   Viktor Setterberg

Women's winners

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Year Winner
SM Match Play
2022   Patricia Isabel Schmidt
2021   Sofie Bringner
2020   Linn Grant (a)
2019   Emma Svensson
2018   Lisa Pettersson
2017   Lynn Carlsson
2016   Johanna Björk
2015   Camilla Lennarth
2014   Natalie Wille
2013   Anjelika Hammar
2012   Lina Boqvist
2011   Cissi Wahlberg
2010   Lotta Wahlin
2009   Louise Larsson
2008   Anna Nordqvist (a)
2007   Julie Tvede
2006   Caroline Hedwall (a)
SM i Match Play
2005   Louise Stahle
2004   Maria Bodén
2003   Linda Wessberg
2002   Rikka Hakkarainen
2001   Cecilia Sjöblom
2000   Isabelle Rosberg
Öhrlings Swedish Matchplay
1999   Filippa Helmersson
1998   Helene Koch
1997   Catrin Nilsmark
1996   Anna Berg (a)
SM Match Play
1995   Mia Löjdahl (a)
1994   Maria Hjorth (a) (2)
1993   Maria Hjorth (a)
1992   Carin Hjalmarsson
1991   Linda Ericsson (a)
1990   Jeniffer Allmark (a)
Svenska Mästerskapet Match Play
1989   Pia Nilsson
1988   Helen Alfredsson (a) (3)
SM Match Trygg-Hansa Cup
1987   Helen Alfredsson (a) (2)
1986   Helen Alfredsson (a)
Svenska Mästerskapet Match Play[c]
1985   Sofia Grönberg (a)
1984   Liselotte Neumann (a)
1983   Gisela Linnér
1982   Marie Wennersten (2)
1981   Marie Wennersten
1980   Liv Wollin (10)
1979   Hillewi Hagström
1978   Kärstin Ehrnlund (2)
1977   Kärstin Ehrnlund
1976   Liv Wollin (9)
1975   Eva Cedervall
1974   Monica Andersson
1973   Liv Wollin (8)
1972   Liv Wollin (7)
1971   Louise Wingård
1970   Birgit Forssman
1969   Liv Forsell (6)
1968   Liv Forsell (5)
1967   Liv Forsell (4)
1966   Liv Forsell (3)
1965   Cecilia Perslow
1964   Liv Forsell (2)
1963   Liv Forsell
1962   Ann-Marie Brynolf
1961   Ann-Katrin Svensson (2)
1960   Britt Mattsson (8)
1959   Marianne Bergengren (2)
1958   Marianne Bergengren
1957   Britt Mattsson (7)
1956   Britt Mattsson (6)
1955   Ann-Katrin Svensson
1954   Gertrud Ahlberg
1953   Britt Mattsson (5)
1952   Britt Mattsson (4)
1951   Britt Mattsson (3)
1950   Britt Mattsson (2)
1949   Britt Mattsson
1948   Nancy Runfelt (3)
1947   Cisela Lundberg
1946   Nancy Runfelt (2)
1945   Ann-Kersti Svensson (3)
1944   Maud Röhss (3)
1943   Ann-Marie Brynolf
1942   Maud Röhss (2)
1941   Maud Röhss
1940 No tournament
1939   Nancy Runfelt
1938   Ann-Kersti Swenson (2)
1937   Karin Bauer (5)
1936   Ellis Janzon
1935   Karin Bauer (4)
1934   Ann-Kersti Swenson
1933   Karin Bauer (3)
1932   Karin Bauer (2)
1925–31 No tournament
1924   Els-Brita Hammer
1923 No tournament
1922  Karin Bauer
1921 No tournament
1920
1919
1918   Rosa Runfelt
1917 No tournament
1916
1915
1914   Viveka Rosencrantz (2)
1913 No tournament
1912
1911   Viveka Rosencrantz
1910 No tournament
1909
1908
1907
1906
1905
1904

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ CHA − Challenge Tour; NGL − Nordic Golf League; SWE − Swedish Golf Tour.
  2. ^ Until 1983 and in 1985, the SM Match Play was an amateur tournament.
  3. ^ Until 1983 and in 1985, the SM Match Play was an amateur tournament.

References

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  1. ^ Wille to defend SM Title, Swedish Golf Federation, 22 June 2015
  2. ^ Jansson, Anders (1979). Golf - Den gröna sporten [Golf - The green sport] (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation. pp. 14–24, 172–173, 193–194. ISBN 9172603283.
  3. ^ Jansson, Anders (2004). Golf – Den stora sporten [Golf – The Great Sport] (in Swedish). Swedish Golf Federation. pp. 212–215, 218–220. ISBN 91-86818007.
  4. ^ SM Match Changes Format, Svensk Golf, 25 June 2012
  5. ^ Bergman, Tobias (August 2005). "Mastersplatsen Nilssons belöning" [A start at the Scandinavian Masters, the reward for Nilsson] (in Swedish). No. 8. Swedish Golf Federation. p. 110. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
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