Northwestern University Athletics
Svärd Named 2023 Big Ten Freshman Of The Year
5/3/2023 9:06:00 AM | Men's Golf
Nyfjäll earns First Team All-Big Ten honors, Svärd and Imai land Second Team laurels
Svärd becomes Northwestern's sixth Freshman of the Year honoree and first since teammate and fellow Swede David Nyfjäll in 2019. Other Wildcats to earn the recognition are Eric Chun (2009), Tom Johnson (2001), Matt Seppanen (1995) and Scott Rowe (1994).
Congratulations to Big Ten Champion Daniel Svärd on being named Big Ten Freshman of the Year ????#GoCats | #NUGolf pic.twitter.com/fp6LAjM25d
— Northwestern Golf (@NUGolf_Live) May 3, 2023
The rookie carded five Top-20 finishes during the 2022-23 campaign and capped his debut season with medalist honors at the Big Ten Championships and helping the Wildcats to a runner-up finish at Galloway National G.C. (NJ). He fired an even-par 71 in his Championships debut on Friday, highlighted by an eagle on the 513-yard, Par-5 11th at Galloway National. He returned on Saturday morning and carded three birdies on the front-nine, and three more on the back, on his way to a 3-under 68 that pushed him atop the leaderboard.
Nyfjäll, the 2022 Big Ten champion, earned First Team All-Big Ten recognition for the fourth time in his decorated career. He is the first Wildcats golfer to take home four First Team honors since Luke Donald (1998, '99, 2000, 2001). Svärd and James Imai both earned spots on the All-Conference Second Team.
All-Big Ten Team Represent ?? #GoCats | #NUGolf pic.twitter.com/Zmt3U6NWPw
— Northwestern Golf (@NUGolf_Live) May 3, 2023
Regional selections for the 2023 NCAA DI men's golf championship will be announced on the Golf Channel at 12 p.m. CT on Wednesday, May 3, and shortly after that on NCAA.com.
2023 NCAA Men's Golf Regionals will be conducted May 15 - 17 at these sites:
- Auburn University Club — Auburn, Alabama
- The Cliffs at Keowee Falls — Salem, South Carolina
- Eagle Eye Golf Club — East Lansing, Michigan
- Bear's Best Las Vegas — Las Vegas, Nevada
- Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club — Norman, Oklahoma
- The Institute Golf Club — Morgan Hill, California
Six 54-hole regional tournaments will be conducted to determine the 30 qualifying teams and six individuals not on those qualifying teams who will compete in the NCAA Championships at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thirteen teams and 10 individuals not on those teams will compete at each of three regionals while the other three regionals will have 14 teams and five individuals not on those teams. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams will advance to the finals.
