Sorenstam preparing to play U.S. Senior Women’s Open
FAIRFIELD — Annika Sorenstam was more than happy to remain a full-time mother, maintain her foundation and keep competitive golf on the back-burner.
But there was that necessary itch to do something outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sorenstam’s son started to take the game of golf seriously. Mom got inspired as well.
“Almost thanks to COVID, I started to practice a little bit more. What else can you do? We just had to get out and get some fresh air. My son was really into it, my daughter plays a little bit,” Sorenstam said. “I supported my son and thought, ‘Well, I should bring my clubs now.’ His love for the game has inspired me to play a little bit more.”
This has all led to Sorenstam’s return to competing in a USGA event. She was at Brooklawn Country Club Tuesday morning for U.S. Senior Women’s Open Media Day. She sat next to the championship trophy. The third annual championship will be held at Brooklawn CC July 29-Aug. 1.
Sorenstam cautioned this is not a comeback to full-time competition. It’s an opportunity to have her children see mom play and for fans to see the former three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion try to defeat her peers once again.
“I can’t believe it has been 13 years. I never thought I would come back and play anything, golf is a big part of my life and always will be,” said Sorenstam, who last competed full-time in 2008. “It’s a little bit more fun. At the end of the day, my kids and husband will still love me. I have a little bit better perspective on things.”
The USGA officially announced Sorenstam as an entrant into the championship on May 12. She had hinted at playing the event at the Gainbridge LPGA in February, where she made the cut. That was the first tournament she played since retiring in 2008.
Sorenstam had seven top-10 finishes in the U.S. Women’s Open. She has 10 major championships among her 72 LPGA Tour titles.
The World Golf Hall of Famer (inducted in 2003) once shot 59 in an event.
The U.S. Senior Women’s Open, now in its third year, was supposed to be played at Brooklawn CC in 2020, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I said this many times in the last several weeks, very, very, very few things good happened out of the COVID pandemic,” said Brooklawn’s Rick Ryan, the general co-chair for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. “Selfishly for Brooklawn, Annika turning 50 is one of them.”
Said Matt Sawicki, senior director of USGA championships: “We were very disappointed to have to cancel last year’s event. We are so appreciative of the club to accommodate us this year.”
Sorenstam said she played Brooklawn CC on Monday. She didn’t indicate what she shot, but did enjoy the A.W. Tillinghast layout.
“It has a great feel, a major championship feel. The fairways are a little more narrow than I’m used to. It’s going to be a treat, it really is.”
In addition to practicing, Sorenstam plans to play in the American Century Classic in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, July 9-11 to sharpen up her game.
There was a potential conflict with Sorenstam also being the president of the International Golf Federation, which oversees golf’s involvement in the Summer Olympics. The Olympics are being held July 23-Aug. 8 in Tokyo.
“When I saw the schedule, it was the same week as (men’s golf in the Olympics),” Sorenstam said. “On Monday (Aug. 2), I’ll be on my way to Tokyo. It’s a chance to see the Women’s (golf in the) Olympics. I’ll be keeping an eye on that. I think we are all ready for the Games to begin.”
General admission tickets are on sale for $20 any day of the event. Children 18 and under are admitted for free. Sawicki said there will be no gallery ropes, which will allow spectators to walk along the fairways with the golfers.
This will be the fifth USGA championship held at Brooklawn and the first since the U.S. Girls Junior in 2003.