After debuting as a mixed event last year following a COVID false start in 2020, the Scandinavian Mixed no longer officially has Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam within the title but both major champions will be part of the field competing for one trophy.

Played from scaled tees, in much the same way the local The Players Series is contested, golfers from both Tours will go head-to-head in another showcase of golf’s quality as a game where any and all players can compete with one another.

Taking on the history of the European Tour’s Scandinavian Masters, the tournament moves courses this year and features a field of veterans and promising young players, with the women in the field hoping to follow Hannah Green’s example when she broke through earlier this year as the first female winner of a major Tour’s mixed event.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Caldwell claimed the first staging of the event in its current mixed format.

The soon to be 38-year-old fired a final round 64 to reach 17-under and claim his first European Tour win by one shot over Spain’s Adrian Otaegui.

RIGHT: Jonathan Caldwell claimed his only European Tour win at this event in 2021. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

A one-time Ladies European Tour winner, England’s Alice Hewson was the best of the women’s field in third.

COURSE: Considered one of the finest courses in all of Sweden, the 2007 Solheim Cup host the North Course at Halmstad Golf Club welcomes the Scandinavian Mixed this week.

Originally founded in 1930, the club developed over time with the North Course, tipping out just over 7,000 yards, a combination off nine holes of the first 18 holes and new holes created in the 1960s. The club containing another 18 hole layout known as the South Course.

Rafael Sundblom was responsible for the original course that lends the more simplistic back nine while Nils Sköld crafted the shorter and more closed in front side.

Lying on the water’s edge at Tylösand, the heavily treed property features undulating fairways, raised greens and small water hazards throughout.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$2,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: He was rumoured to be among the LIV Golf players, but Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson will tee it up at home this week and hope that the golf gods will repay him with some good form.

The one time World No.2 shared 34th last week in Germany for one of his better finishes this year and will be looking to continue trending in the right direction having slid to outside the top-200 in the world rankings and having not won a full field event since 2017.

Stenson’s compatriot Annika Sorenstam is always worth keeping an eye on when she makes her rare appearances on Tour, but it is another Swede that poses as one of the more interesting prospects this week.

A regular tournament venue and one of the finest courses in Sweden, Halmstad welcomes the DP World and Ladies European Tours this week. PHOTO: Jan Kruger/Getty Images.

Amateur Ingrid Lindblad has made no secret that she is chasing the No.1 spot on the amateur rankings, and after a T11 last week at the U.S. Women’s Open is a genuine chance to win here.

Lindblad was very impressive at Pine Needles and plays fearlessly on the big stage.

Of the Aussies, Whitney Hillier is having a magnificent season so far in Europe after an impressive start to the year at home in Australia.

Hillier went as close as possible to a win just a few weeks ago when a hole-in-one was part of her charge to a runner-up at the Jabra Ladies Open.

On the men’s side of the equation, Jason Scrivener continues to show signs a maiden DP World Tour is around the corner.

Scrivener was tied 25th last week in Germany and if he can put together four consistent rounds could feature in the closing stages around a course that should suit his strong ball striking and game management.

72-HOLE RECORD: 261 (Erik van Rooyen, 2019)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Mark Hensby (2005), Adam Scott (2003)

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Jason Scrivener, Whitney Hillier, Maverick Antcliff, Scott Hend and Zach Murray.

TV TIMES*

Round 1: Thursday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9pm – 2am)
Round 2: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9pm – 2am)
Round 3: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9:30pm – 2am)
Round 4: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 9:30pm – 2am)
*AEST, check local guides