Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Annika Sorenstam returning to play LPGA event 'literally in our backyard'

Written by 
Published in Golf
Tuesday, 09 February 2021 06:55

It didn’t take long for Annika Sorenstam to get those competitive juices flowing. For the second time in as many months, the 72-time LPGA winner will be competing with the best on tour.

But this occasion will be official.

Sorenstam announced Tuesday on Twitter that she will compete in the Gainbridge LPGA, February 25-28 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Florida. She made her unofficial LPGA return in January at the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions, also in the Orlando area, where she competed in the celebrity division. Her participation in February’s event will mark her first competitive start on the LPGA Tour since she stepped away from the game to start a family in 2008.

“[Thirteen] years is a long time to not compete,” Sorenstam told GolfChannel.com via email.  “We reached out to the LPGA to see if I was even exempt and learned there are four spots for Hall of Famers each week.”

“They had to explain how to register,” she said, adding a smiling-face emoji. “I’m thankful to be able to play.”

In its second year on tour, the Gainbridge LPGA moved from its inaugural location in Boca Raton to Lake Nona, which is also Sorenstam’s home course. The move played a major part in Sorenstam’s decision to compete.

“It is literally in our backyard,” said Sorenstam, who lives on the course. “We look at the 16th hole and our kids and lots of members have urged me to play. I thought, why not? I need to practice. If the tournament wasn’t here, I wouldn’t be playing.”

Sorenstam, who finished T-9 in the celebrity division of the Diamond Resorts TOC, played alongside several LPGA players who were too young to have competed against the Hall of Fame member in her prime. Gaby Lopez and Nelly Korda were grouped with the Swede at the tour’s season opener and embraced the opportunity to watch and learn from the 10-time major champion.

“We talked a lot about short-term goals,” Lopez said about playing with Sorenstam. “Today was probably one of the luckiest days of my life being able to play with her in a competitive round.”

Being back inside the ropes, Sorenstam learned quite a bit, too. Playing golf, let alone competitive golf, had largely taken a back seat since Sorenstam retired in ‘08. Much of her time in recent years has been spent raising her two children, Ava and Will, and participating in a variety of ventures to grow the game through her Annika Foundation.

“I realized that I was nervous and rusty,” Sorenstam said about playing in the Diamond Resorts event. “I know that’s natural, but the only way to get used to it is to have those same feelings again. Though, my expectations are low as I’m at a different place in my life.”

Sorenstam turned 50 last October and while she might not have designs on winning in her LPGA return, she does have her sights set on another major title this summer: the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut.

“I realized after the Diamond Resorts event that I need tournament reps if I’m going to have a chance at playing well [at the USSWO],” Sorenstam said. “Ironically, I don’t play 18 holes at Lake Nona very often. I need to play the entire course more in the next couple weeks.”

Read 296 times

Soccer

Source: Cincy breaks MLS transfer record for Denkey

Source: Cincy breaks MLS transfer record for Denkey

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFC Cincinnati has completed the signing of Cercle Brugge forward Ké...

From Rooney to Bellingham, which most expensive U19 signings were hits?

From Rooney to Bellingham, which most expensive U19 signings were hits?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWe looked previously at players who move for large sums before thei...

Barça official: French team bid 250m for Yamal

Barça official: French team bid 250m for Yamal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona official Enric Masip has suggested Paris Saint-Germain we...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Ex-Bulls star Love dies at 81 after cancer battle

Ex-Bulls star Love dies at 81 after cancer battle

EmailPrintFormer Chicago Bulls star forward Bob Love died Monday following a long battle with cancer...

Spurs rule Wembanyama (knee) out vs. Thunder

Spurs rule Wembanyama (knee) out vs. Thunder

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio Spurs gave Victor Wembanyama the day...

Baseball

Marlins tout McCullough as ideal fit to lead rebuild

Marlins tout McCullough as ideal fit to lead rebuild

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- After spending the past several seasons with the Los Angel...

Pirates' Skenes, Yanks' Gil named Rookies of Year

Pirates' Skenes, Yanks' Gil named Rookies of Year

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsOn the penultimate day of the regular season, the New York Yankees...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated