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Sept. 23, 2009

Lady Vol sophomore golfer Nathalie Mansson opened the season with a career-best score of 1-under 215 to lead Tennessee to a fourth-place finish a the 2009 Duramed Cougar Classic on Sept. 13-14 at Yeamans Hall in Charleston, S.C. The Stockholm, Sweden, native set a new Big Orange freshman scoring average record (73.79) en route to earning All-SEC Second Team, All-East Region and Golfweek honorable mention All-America honors in 2008-09. Mansson is looking to replicate her success this season and lead Tennessee to a second straight appearance at the NCAA Championships. She recently talked to utladyvols.com about her impressive start to the 2009-10 season.

At the Duramed Cougar Classic you were able to shoot a career-best 67 for the second round of the tournament and the Lady Vols finished fourth as a team. How happy were you with your season-opening performance?

"I was happy. Team-wise we wanted to win so we were a little bit disappointed. The other teams there played much better than we expected. Personally, I'm very happy with my 67 for the second round. I felt everything was going my way (during the round)."

You had eight birdies during your spectacular second round. What was working for you?

"It was my putting. I was very consistent with making putts, and I didn't make many big mistakes. I had a few bogeys - and they were three-putts - but I made a lot of important putts like 15-footers and 20-footers. I normally don't make as many of those."

Is it a relief to get that first tournament under your belt?

"Yes, definitely. It feels great that everybody played really well too. I think this year has a lot more good things and great finishes to come."

What did you do over the summer? I know you played in the Ladies British Open Amateur.

"Yes, I played in that tournament. It was match play, which is different and we don't often play that way over here. But I am used to playing it back home. It was really fun, playing a different kind of golf and getting some wins (Mansson advanced to the quarterfinals). I also played for Sweden in the European Women's Amateur Team Championship (in Bled, Slovenia). We finished fifth which we weren't that happy about. We wanted to win, but we lost to Germany who ended up winning it. That's what I did this summer. And I spent time with my family and friends."

You had a great first season in 2008-09, setting the UT freshman record for stroke average (73.79) and earning honorable mention All-America honors from Golfweek. What was your transition to playing golf in the United States like?

"There was a lot more practice and a lot more playing than I was used to. I think that was the biggest difference. The coaches (Judi Pavon and Andrew Pratt) have been great too. I love them so much. We have a lot of fun together and the team has a lot of fun together which makes things so much easier."

How did you first hear about Tennessee and how did you end up here?

"The process started one-and-a-half years before I actually got here. The coaches here, Judi, and the previous assistant coach (Carrie Cole) - they contacted a person who was helping me in the recruiting process. And Carrie also came and watched me and some British girls the year before I got here. I was looking at other schools too - Florida and Arizona, but because of the coaches and the team at Tennessee, I decided to come here. Also the environment is more like home here than it would've been at the other two schools."

One of the biggest names in golf is still Annika Sorenstam. Being that you are both Swedish, have you ever had the opportunity to meet her or pick up tips from her?

"Yes. I have actually played with her for nine holes, but that was just a small, fun tournament for younger juniors. She's really a person I have looked up to my whole career. She hasn't ever given me any tips herself, but her game talks a lot and shows a lot about how you should play golf."

Are there any other players who you look up to or maybe model some parts of your game after?

"Yes. Of course. You can always learn from everybody, but Tiger Woods is a player I like to watch too. He hits so many different kinds of shots and plays such great golf. It is really fun to watch him."

You have one tournament under your belt now this fall. What do you want to accomplish through the rest of the season?

"I want to see the team win a couple of tournaments, and I want to win my first college event individually. Those are my biggest goals for my team and me."