They will compete for one prize fund and one trophy at the inaugural Scandinavian Mixed tournament.

The event will feature 78 men and 78 women at Stockholm’s Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, from June 11-14, and will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and Ladies European Tour.

Hosted by Sweden’s most successful male and female golfers for the next three years – and with a prize fund of €1,500,000 for the entire field – the tournament will offer Official World Ranking points for both tours.

The event will enter a new era next year with Ryder Cup star Stenson confirmed to play the next three years and 10-time Major winner Sörenstam, who retired from competitive golf in 2008, playing in the tournament pro-ams.

Swedish golf fans will be able to watch a host of the world’s top male and female golfers in Stockholm next year before the tournament rotates venues in 2021 and 2022.

“I’m extremely excited to host the Scandinavian Mixed alongside Annika, one of the best golfers the world has seen,” said Stenson, an 11-time European Tour winner.

“To have men and women competing alongside one another showcases what is great about our game,”

“The European Tour has been leading the way in terms of innovative formats and I believe this is certainly one that can be part of the way golf is played in the future.

“Making our game accessible to everyone is something I am extremely passionate about – having worked with Fanny Sunesson for a number of years hosting the Stenson Sunesson Junior Challenge – as well as promoting Paragolf in Sweden through the Henrik Stenson Foundation.

“So I am delighted to have this new event for both male and female professional golfers in Sweden.”

Sörenstam was the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour of America event in the modern era – back in 2003 – playing in the Colonial, attracting some adverse comments, notably from Vijay Singh.

It paved the way for Michelle Wie who first played in the 2004 Sony Open, who would go on to play eight times on the PGA Tour over the next four years, but again, her invites were often criticised for depriving a male golfer of a start in their attempts to keep their tour cards.

Sorenstam claimed afterwards it was one of the highlights of her career and had made her much stronger. Now she concentrates on giving opportunities to girls and young women in getting ahead in the game.

Annika said: “Since retiring from competitive golf in 2008, I have dedicated a lot of my time to the ANNIKA Foundation, which hosts seven global events for junior girls each year including the ANNIKA Invitational Europe.

“This mixed tournament is another way to bring our game to the younger generation in Sweden and for those watching around the world.”

“We have been in close collaboration with the women’s game, not only on the European Tour, but also across the European Challenge Tour and Staysure Tour with events held in Northern Ireland and Jordan.

“This tournament is the next step for male and female golfers to compete together on one course, for one prize fund, and one trophy.”

Alexandra Armas, the LET’s acting chief executive, said: “This is a pivotal moment for European golf.

“This new tournament in Sweden will be an innovative and inclusive new offering which will elevate our sport to the next level and advance gender balance – ultimately showing that golf is a game for all.

“Sweden has always produced a wealth of world-class golfers and we look forward to having a strong field featuring the best Swedish women including major winners, and those whom featured in Europe’s sensational Solheim Cup victory last month.”

Björn Örås, founder of the host club, which hosted the European Tour’s Nordea Masters six times between 2010 and 2016, said: “We are thrilled Bro Hof Slott Golf Club will host the inaugural Scandinavian Mixed tournament in 2020.

The format of the GolfSixes – founded at St Albans’ Centurion Club in 2017 – featuring top players from both Tours competing together has paved the way for the latest innovation

In addition to GolfSixes – which moved to Portugal’s Cascais last summer – men and women professionals will play together at the Trophée Hassan II tournament in Morocco in June, as well as at the ISPS Handa Vic Open in Australia, in February.

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