CGN Player Highlight and Interview: Daniel Svärd’s Drive at Northwestern
Northwestern senior Daniel Svärd has paired elite results with a clear plan for growth. Raised in Sweden on a short outdoor season and long indoor blocks, he built his game through deliberate practice and steady development. At Northwestern, he chose a program that emphasizes four-year development, tournament simulation in practice, and competitive short game work. His focus now is simple: help the Wildcats win the Big Ten again, return to nationals, and make match play.
Career and Amateur Highlights
Two-time Big Ten individual champion in 2023 and 2024
Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023
Three-time All-Big Ten selection from 2023 to 2025
Multiple PING GCAA All Midwest Region honors
Advanced to the Sweet 16 at the 125th U.S. Amateur
Named a Big Ten player to watch for 2025
Career scoring average near 71
Collegiate Results Snapshot
2024 to 2025
Appeared in all 33 rounds
Second on the team in scoring at 71.57
Unanimous First Team All Big Ten and All Midwest Region
Highlights: 3rd at Fighting Illini Invitational 203, 5th at St Andrews Links Collegiate 141 with a match play win at the Old Course 69, tied career low 65 to finish 3rd at Clerico 211, co-medalist at The Goodwin 205, top 20 at Big Ten Championships 214
2023 to 2024
Repeated as Big Ten champion at 211 plus one
Team best scoring average 71.36 in 36 rounds
Twelve rounds in the 60s and 18 at par or better
Four top fives, including 5th at NCAA Las Vegas Regional 201
2022 to 2023
Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten champion at 139 minus three
Stroke average 70.91 in 35 rounds with 22 at par or better and 12 in the 60s
Runner up finishes at Wake Forest Invitational and Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate
Interview Highlights with CGN
Path into golf
Grew up in Sweden with a regional junior schedule and long indoor practice periods. Development was steady rather than fast, then surged with a key national win in high school that opened college interest.
Choosing Northwestern
COVID limited visits, so he relied on calls and player conversations. Northwestern stood out for a clear four year plan focused on development for the next level, not only short term results. Connections with Swedish players in the program reinforced the fit.
Mindset
Views setbacks as chances to execute skills under pressure. Balances acceptance with problem solving, reframing bad breaks as challenges. Uses perspective across 54 and 72 hole events to keep momentum.
Practice and competition
Values tournament simulation in daily work. Greens and targets are set to be demanding to create pressure. Competitive short game games with teammates and staff keep precision and focus high. Notes the impact of a high standard from the coaching staff and a first class facility supported by former Wildcat Luke Donald.
Avoiding burnout
Builds variety into summer schedules with elite events and team championships in Europe, then resets before late summer majors. Emphasizes enjoyment alongside performance to sustain energy over a year-long calendar.
Goals
Team standards are to win the Big Ten, qualify for nationals, and make match play. Individually he aims to join the short list of three time Big Ten champions and continue moving up the pro pathway ranking for college players.
