Sorenstam stays on top
Annika Sorenstam leads by two strokes at U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
FAIRFIELD — Annika Sorenstam shot an even-par 72 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the U.S. Senior Women’s Open.
The 50-year-old Sorenstam, a three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion making her first appearance in the senior event, had an 8-under 208 total at Brooklawn Country Club. Husband Mike McGee is working as her caddie.
“It was a roller-coaster,” Sorenstam said. “It was not as solid as the first two days. A few putts falling would have made it really sweet.”
Playing partner and fellow Swede Liselotte Neumann was second, closing with a bogey for a 71. She won the 1988 U.S. Women’s Open to become the first Swedish major champion.
“A little bit up and down today,” Neumann said. “Good putting, good short game, and I think starting the back nine, I started to get a little bit more comfortable. Overall, it sort of got better and better as the day went.”
Sorenstam has pointed to the championship since turning 50 in October.
“I would love to do well, of course,” Sorenstam said. “That is
“Yeah, pretty impressive considering she’s been away. Not that she’s never not impressed me, but I didn’t expect that.”
— Laura Davies, LPGA golfer, on Annika Sorenstam
why I came here. I feel like I’m as prepared as I can be. I just want to trust myself and enjoy the walk. Hopefully I can keep it in the short grass.”
European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew was 4 under after a 71. Laura Davies (68) and Yuko Saito (74) were 2 under, and Kris Tschetter was even par after a 75.
Davies had the round of the day to move into contention. The difference, she said, came down to putting.
“I changed putters. I brought two with me and I went with the wrong one,” she said. “I virtually had the yips [Friday]. I just putted horrifically and didn’t think I would hole a putt again. On the front nine I played nicely and made some putts. So good decision to put the old putter back in.”
Davies had five birdies on the front nine and just a single bogey on the back to move up nine spots, from the tie for 13th she was in after the second round into a tie for fourth.
Meanwhile, Sorenstam’s performance was not lost on her fellow competitors.
“It’s like she’s never been away. It’s incredible,” Davies said. “Not as powerful, obviously. Distance control is great, as you would always expect from Annika . ... Yeah, pretty impressive considering she’s been away. Not that she’s never not impressed me, but I didn’t expect that.”
The final round begins on Sunday at 8:10 a.m., with the final pairing of Sorenstam and Neumann hitting the course at 12:45 p.m. The round will be broadcast by the Golf Channel from 2-5 p.m.