Sorenstam shoots 74, still has a blast at U.S. Women’s Open
SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. — Annika Sorenstam stood on the third tee at the U.S. Women’s Open, signaling to 12-year-old daughter Ava and 11-year-old son Will behind the ropes to drink some water and stay hydrated.
A few holes later she reminded them to reapply sunscreen.
Those aren’t responsibilities Sorenstam had to deal with while winning three U.S. Women’s Open titles, including 1996 here at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club.
“There were a lot of thoughts going in my head,” Sorenstam said with a laugh. “… Yeah, sometimes I get a little distracted. There was a few holes I’m like, where did Will go? Is he OK? Is he climbing some tree somewhere?”
She added: “And then it’s like, OK, trigger, now you’ve got to play, you’ve got to hit a hybrid. That’s just kind of the way it is now.”
For a brief moment, it looked like Sorenstam might
pull off a Phil Mickelson and turn back the clock at a major.
The 51-year-old Sorenstam was even par through 12 holes before bogeying three of her final six holes for a 3-over 74 on Thursday, leaving her in danger of missing the cut. The top 60 players, plus ties, make the cut.
There was time when that score might have upset her. Those days have long since passed.
This was more of a celebratory
walk down memory lane for Sorenstam, who hasn’t played in the U.S. Open since 2008 when she walked away from the game.
“One of the reasons I’m here, they (my kids) want me to play and we’re doing this together,” said Sorenstam, who earned her way into the tournament by winning last year’s U.S. Women’s Senior Open.
The eight-time LPGA Player of the Year seemed to cherish every moment.