Annika At Colonial

The official drawsheet makes no mention of anything exceptional taking place. But at 8.58am on Thursday May 22 2003, Annika Sorenstam teed off from the 10th tee at the Colonial Country Club in the opening round of the Bank of America Colonial. Sorenstam was the first woman to play in a PGA Tour event since Babe Zaharias made the halfway cut in the 1945 Los Angeles Open. But her playing credentials were not in doubt. Indeed, hopes were high the 32-year old Swede might duplicate Zaharias’ feat on one of the Tour’s shortest lay-outs. Still, Sorenstam’s presence wasn’t received with universal warmth. “What is she going to prove by playing?” moaned Vijay Singh. “She doesn’t belong out here. It’s ridiculous.” But Sorenstam’s entry was far from a mere publicity stunt. No, she did not qualify for the weekend after rounds of 71 and 74. But she did finish ahead of a few notable names, including future US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.