PROFESSIONAL

• In 2012, Minea played in 9 events and finished 89^th on the ISPS Handa Order of Merit. Her best finish was T6th at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.
• In 2011, Minea played in 13 tournaments on the LET and recorded three top-10 finishes, including 2nd place at the UniCredit Ladies German Open, 3rd at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France and a tie for 5^th at the Sanya Ladies Open in China. She finished 25^th on the season-ending Money List with earnings of €83,386.50.
• In 2010, played in two LET events with a season best tie for 18^th at the Finnair Masters.
• In 2009, Minea played in seven events on the LET with a season best tie for 3rd at the Finnair Masters in Finland.
• In 2008, won the Finnair Masters at Helsinki Golf Club on home soil in Finland after a sensational final day battle with Ursula Wikstrom, her compatriot and friend.
• In 2005, represented Finland alongside Riikka Hakkarainen in the inaugural Women’s World Cup of Golf at Fancourt H&CC in South Africa in February. The same year, she recorded two runner-up finishes, at the OTP Bank Central European Open in Hungary and the Ladies English Open at Chart Hills.
• In 2004, turned professional and won twice on the Nedbank Women’s Golf Tour in South Africa early in the season at the Pam Golding Ladies International and the Telcom Women’s Classic. First professional appearance on the LET was a tie for 4th at the Tenerife Ladies Open. Won OTP Bank Central European Open in Hungary which included a Tour record 62 in round one, also becoming the third youngest winner of an LET event at 19-years and 128 days old. Carded a world record ten under par 62 at Sunningdale during the third round of the Weetabix Women’s British Open becoming the first player, male or female to shoot ten under par in a major championship. Also played her hero Annika Sörenstam in an exhibition skins match at her home club in Finland prior to the 2004 HP Open. This time, Annika said: ‘The old girl won!’

AMATEUR

Won three points for Europe in two PING Junior Solheim Cup appearances. Won two times on the Telia Tour at the 2002 Sparbanken Open as a 17-year-old amateur and in the 2003 CA Ladies Trophy. Was awarded Telia Tour Player of the Year in 2003. Two-time PING Junior Solheim Cup player in 2002 and 2003. Vagliano Trophy player in 2003. 5th European amateur championship 2003. Turned professional late in 2003 with a handicap of +2.7. Winner of Finnish Amateur ranking in 2002. Finnish National Ladies Team member from 2001-2003.

PERSONAL

164cm tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. Known on Tour as ‘Minni’. Credits Pia Nilson, Lynn Marriot, Ville Kalliala, Carin Koch and Annika Sörenstam as individuals who influenced her career. Lists movies, reading and music among her hobbies. First child, a son, named Elmeri Mikael Kakko born 31^st March 2010. Attached to Kullo GC. Married professional golfer Roope Kakko on New Year’s Eve 2011 and changed her family name to Blomqvist-Kakko from 2012.

LET Tournament Victories

(2) 2004 OTP Bank Central European Open, 2008 Finnair Masters

Other Victories

(5) Telia Tour - 2002 Sparbanken Open, 2003 CA Ladies Trophy. 2004 Nedbank Women’s Golf Tour – Pam Golding Ladies International, Telcom Women’s Classic. 2004 Telia Tour Öijared Ladies Open.