On Tour - Marianne Skarpnord

By Matt Cooper Last updated: 16th February 2010

In our first chat of the year with Marianne we talked about her career so far and her plans for 2010.

Golf365: Hi Marianne, 2009 was quite special for you. It started with some good results in Australia, then you returned to Europe and found yourself leading with one round to go in Switzerland.

Marianne: Yeah, I just went out there and tried to trust myself. I didn't have much experience of leading, except for after round one in Australia, but I had to believe I could do it.

Golf365: Well, the strategy worked because you had a two-shot lead over Melissa Reid in the fairway of the par-five final hole. You then hit the green in two and seemed to have a little celebration, only for Reid to knock her second shot event closer.

Marianne: That's what everyone thought! I didn't understand but they thought I thought I had it in the bag because of what was shown on the TV. I hit the shot and then I had a friend who was flying a Norwegian flag in the crowd. So I was waving at him to let him know I'd seen him! It was nothing to do with the shot. Afterwards my friends were saying to me, "Why did you celebrate?" And I was thinking, "What? Do they think I'm f***ing stupid?"

Golf365: If you watch the highlights on the LET site or YouTube the commentators think you were being a bit premature!

Marianne: Agh, I know golf though! I know what could happen. It would be totally stupid to think I had won it.

Golf365: Ultimately you did get the win (after a nervy three-putt). How did you react afterwards? How did you make sure your year didn't peak there and then?

Marianne: Me and my caddie did speak about that. In fact we said something similar the year before when I was second in Ireland which was my best finish that year. We said let's forget that happened. Let's start again. I didn't play that well late in the summer but I got it back for Italy.

Golf365: Yes, this time you eagled the par-five final hole to tie Laura Davies.

Marianne: I hit a long drive so I could get my second shot to the green-

Golf365: And then holed a monster putt!

Marianne: (Laughing) Yeah! That was really nice!

Golf365: But then it turned into Groundhog Day because in the play-off the pair of you had to return to the 18th and it took three efforts to split you.

Marianne: It was difficult on that hole. Laura could hit driver, 6-iron. But I needed 5-wood for my approach and there was no room to land the ball. So I knew I had to be brave but I also knew I needed the perfect 5-wood fade to get close so I actually kind of played to hit the bunker in front. If I got lucky I thought it would go close but I was always happy with the sand shot if not. Which is a good job because I didn't hit any perfect 5-woods! But I made birdie second and third time so it worked.

Golf365: After those two wins your performance at LPGA Q School was the icing on the cake, especially as you started with a 76. What happened that night? How did you react?

Marianne: To be honest I was just really f***ing p*ssed off! But I am an aggressive player and I was thinking I am playing well so I'm going get better, I'm not going to shoot 76 again. I don't know what I scored next day ...

Golf365: 66

Marianne: Okay, so I was ten shots better. But it's stupid really because I wasn't 10 shots better in the way I played. Or 10 shots worse on day one to put it another way. That's golf.

Golf365: So you're back in the event and you've done it by being aggressive, did you stay in that frame of mind for the next three rounds?

Marianne: I did because it is my way and that's good. We-ell ... okay, I stayed aggressive until the last day. I did try to be aggressive on the final day but there was something in my head, a little voice that said, 'Remember, you're at Q School - don't be an idiot!'

Golf365: Last year was built on a really solid 2008, but tell us about 2007? It seems like it was a crucial year for your development?

Marianne: Yeah, I got my LET card for the 2005 season and I just played crap. I had no experience. I was in awe of players. I didn't really have anything to offer. I think I had about ten starts the year after but it wasn't any better. That October I figured I had a choice: I could do something different with my game, something to help me make a fresh start or, well, I could quit the game.

Golf365: So you took a step back and played the Telia Tour around Scandinavia?

Marianne: I didn't like it in some ways but it was good for me. I don't think I would be sat here talking to you if I hadn't done it.

Golf365: And you won four times that year.

Marianne: Yeah, I wanted to win again, I think I needed to. You know I hadn't done it, hadn't felt that excitement since ... well, probably the British Girls probably which was years before (2003).

Golf365: From the outside it seems like you made a mature decision?

Marianne: A lot of people said it was a good idea and I think more players should do it rather than struggling on tour. You know, to remind themselves they can play.

Golf365: You once said that you used to be an angry golfer.

Marianne: (Marianne laughs out loud) Yeah!

Golf365: Was 2007 when you learned to be calm?

Marianne: From '07 I definitely started to get better. Before then I was throwing clubs, swearing, just acting like an idiot to be honest. I still get angry but I've learned to turn it round positively. You know, saying to myself, 'I'm going to make it, I'm not going to give up', instead of throwing things and talking rubbish. (Marianne laughs again.)

Golf365: Was there anything technical you improved in 2007 or was it mental?

Marianne: I think it was mostly mental. My swing has improved since then but my mental game is so much better. My mental coach always says, 'you have to think you are before you can be'. And my swing coach always talks about winning, winning, winning, winning, WINNING! I guess I got used to it in '07 and that is good. Many players don't expect to win, so they're not prepared for it, almost afraid of it.

Golf365: Talking of preparing, I've seen you on Twitter improving your putting with a new gadget at an indoor school in Norway.

Marianne: Yeah, my stroke is so much better now. The ball is not jumping, it is so smooth. That really helps with distance control. Even today out on the course I was almost wondering where the putting stroke came from? It was so good!

Golf365: You're in Dubai at the moment, how long have you been there?

Marianne: About three weeks - a lot of hard work but I really like that. I like to practice, practice, practice! It's important for me to feel like I am improving.

Golf365: You seem quite organised to me, like you've got a plan.

Marianne: I don't think I'm a very good planner! What do you mean?

Golf365: Well you've had year-on-year improvement for three years and you've got the potential to take that a step further in America.

Marianne: Oh yeah, I understand. Well, I want to be number one in the world and I work very hard every day to achieve that. I really want it.

Golf365: Even saying that indicates quiet confidence - well, actually, not very quiet confidence really.

Marianne: Yeah, most of the response to me saying that has been great. People say to me, 'You can do it, Marianne, you work so hard, you'll get there.' But some people are saying, 'Who do you think you are?' But they don't know much about me. I want it and the fact is that I perform better if I set myself big targets. Being number one in the world is a pretty far away target at the moment to be honest but I feel aiming for that will make me a better player.

Golf365: I saw on Twitter that you went to the Dubai Desert Classic.

Marianne: Yeah, all four days!

Golf365: Can you learn much from that?

Marianne: Oh yeah. Mostly that the men are so calm. Even if they hit driver into trouble they make par and so many times they save par from 100 yards. I think we can learn from that. We get a bit stressed. 'Oh no, how can I save par from here?!' That sort of thing. We need to stay calm. The other thing is that so many men seem to be having fun. I followed Richard Green and he was playing with one guy who just seemed to be playing with his buddies.

Golf365: How's the tennis going? You always say on Twitter that you're no good at it.

Marianne: I am so bad! I like it but I am SO bad! It is good for fitness, though, a good workout. One day I will win!

Golf365: Looking ahead, how do you plan to split your time between the tours this year?

Marianne: I didn't really know how the LPGA schedule would be with the financial crisis. There were rumours of there not being many events. But I'll have 15/16 events in the States, then hopefully the British Open and the Evian Masters.

Golf365: And you're starting the year Down Under on the LET?

Marianne: Yeah, I'm off to Queensland for a few days, then fly to New Zealand.

Golf365: So it's Dubai to Norway, Norway to Australia, then back and forward to New Zealand, then the States ...

Marianne: Yeah, I'll fly from Melbourne to Florida for a few days, then two events in California.

Golf365: Do you ever get jet lag?!

Marianne: Yeah, of course! Last year in Australia I was so tired it took me four days to get ready. I need that week before we start in New Zealand. Definitely!

Golf365: You're playing the Kraft Nabisco, the first major of the year, but what event are you most looking forward to on the LPGA?

Marianne: The US Open (said with meaning). It's the most prestigious event. It's not that I'm not looking forward to other stuff but I think the Open would be fun and a big stage.

Golf365: Final thing is the Mojo 6 - a new and interesting LPGA event in April for just 16 players and you might be playing!

Marianne: Yeah, the fans get a chance to vote for the player who takes the 16th spot and I'm on the short list which is very nice!

Golf365: Do you understand the tournament?

Marianne: At first my manager explained and I just said, 'I'm confused!' It's like short six hole matches, really aggressive, I like the sound of it. It will be fun.

Golf365: Fingers crossed you get in. Readers can vote at Mojo6.com so perhaps we can all help you get you a trip to the Caribbean!

b>Marianne: Yes please!

Golf365: Good luck Down Under, Marianne and we'll speak again soon.

Marianne: Thank you, speak to you soon!