Oh, Annika, how much better can your game get?
The bad news is that it may never get any better, but the good news is that it probably doesn’t have to.
The sweet swinging Swedish sensation Sorenstam seems sure to be among the contenders when Sunday rolls around in the 56th U.S. Women’s Open. And why not? She leads the golfing world in everything from more dollars in the bank to fewer strokes per round.
More bad news for the other players is that Sorenstam loves the Pine Needles course. When she won here in 1996, it proved that the Donald Ross design complements her game. And now, as she returns to the scene of the picnic, both her game and the course are in even better shape.
“It definitely fit me in ’96,” she said, “and I think I’ve matured as a player since then. I’m more consistent today than I was then. Overall, I think I’m a better player.”
There are reasons other than maturity that Sorenstam’s game has improved. For one thing, there’s the fitness program that she has so heartily embraced. The woman is in such great shape physically that her body appears honed to perfection. A combination of running, sit-ups, and other exercises has turned her into a thoroughbred.
When she played in 1996, Sorenstam was only 25. She was in good shape then, but it was a softer look. Now she appears chiseled. Her arms appear powerful and her waist could be a model for an abs workout.
“I work out a little every day,” she said in what had to be an understatement, “but I do more when I’m home than when I’m on the road. It’s a little difficult to balance everything then and find time for it. But I run a little, bike a little, stretch and do some sit-ups.”
And, oh yeah, she plays a little golf in her down time.
Speaking of down time, how about the wonder from down under, Karrie Webb? Did the domination of Webb on the Tour for the past couple of years fuel Sorenstam’s competitive fires? Did the Aussie’s success force her to do some soul-searching, dig a little deeper, start doing all those workouts?
“Soul searching?” she repeated, laughing. “No, my soul is here. But, you know, I think I got motivated in 1999 when I finished fourth on the money list. I just realized that that’s not where I want to be. I’m not happy with that. I want to be the best player out there.”
OK. Mission accomplished. At least on the stat sheets and the money list. Over a million bucks in winnings before June is proof of excellence. And five wins to none for Webb does get your attention.
But Annika won five times last year and Karrie was still the leading money-winner and Player of the Year.
“I personally think I had a good year last year,” Sorenstam said, “and winning five times was really good for me. It was just that Karrie had an exceptional year. But I felt I was on the right track, and I can see at the beginning of this year that the results are coming.”
Yes they are. If you like winning and cashing big checks, you are definitely on the right track, Annika.
Sorenstam is married, but she can’t imagine how it must feel for someone such as Brenda Corrie Kuehn, who is playing this week despite being more than eight months pregnant.
“I’ve never been pregnant, so I don’t really know how it would feel,” she said, laughing again. “But if she feels great, I think it’s great that she’s out here. I’ve heard a lot of people talking about how they feel more relaxed when they’re pregnant.
“Carin Koch, a friend of mine from Sweden (who won last week), said she was more relaxed when she was pregnant and didn’t seem to put as much pressure on herself. If that’s the way you feel, that’s good.”
Don’t spread that word around, Annika. With all the guys on the PGA Tour trying everything they can dream up to beat Tiger Woods, a couple of them might decide to try it.
