BELLEAIR (Florida) – Nelly Korda met Annika at her namesake AJGA tournament. Korda, like many of the LPGA players this week, remembers Sorenstam from her junior clinic. Sorenstam is still remembered by many players today who play in tournaments around the globe. The Annika Award is given to the college player of each year. The Rolex Annika Major Award goes to the player who performs best in the LPGA Majors every year.
The LPGA’s premier stop now also bears her name. The Annika Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican was first held in 2020, but rebranded for this year. It boasts the largest purse on the LPGA outside of the majors, at $3.25m, and an impressive field.
Stacy Lewis, former No. Stacy Lewis, former No. “It’s important that these girls know about the players who have gone before them.”
Other LPGA legends, such as the Lorena ochoa invitational and the Babe Zaharias Open have their names attached to events over the years. But Sorenstam is the only one whose name appears on an event currently.
Sorenstam said, “It’s wonderful to see these girls living out their dreams.” I’ve seen some of them from 16 years ago, whether it was Nelly Korda or Alison Lee or Leona Maguire.
The 120 players on the field this weekend include 57 who have played in Sorenstam events. This includes the Volvo Car Scandinavian Mixed which Sorenstam hosts with fellow Swede Henrik Stenson. This week, eight of the world’s top 10 players are in attendance, including Nelly Korda, the two-time defending champ, and three of the players competing for the Rolex Players of Year, Celine Boutier and Lilia Vu.
The PGA Tour is the place to be for men’s golf. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, as well as the late Arnold Palmer, are among the most prestigious events.
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Sorenstam is also interested in joining Pelican. This exclusive club, located in Tampa Bay, includes Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley. Sorenstam is Augusta National ‘s new member.
Sorenstam said, “It begins everywhere, from the parking lot to the locker rooms, to the practice area, and to lunch. It starts anywhere they touch.” Sometimes it’s the little things that you don’t think about.
“I like to learn and listen from them.” We want players to say goodbye and return home saying, “I’m going back, and I’m taking so and so.”
Annika Sorenstam on the driving range of her new LPGA event. (courtesy photo)
Louise Rydqvist, a junior from South Carolina, won the Annika Intercollegiate earlier this year in Minnesota to earn her spot in this week’s field. Rydqvist began playing Sorenstam events at the Annika Cup, in Sweden. Rydqvist attended high school with Solheim Cup athletes Linn Grant and Maja stark, as well Ryder Cup winner Ludvig Aberg. She also shares the same swing coach with another member of Suzann’s Pettersen team, Madelene Sagastrom.
Rydqvist learned, while driving to the course for the final round, that winning the Annika Intercollegiate would earn her an LPGA exemption.
Rydqvist talked with Sorenstam on her SiriusXM show about strategy as part of the preparation for this week’s events.
Rydqvist said, “I could not be happier” about the opportunity she has before her.
Sorenstam was the first winner of the Betsy King Classic, in 1996. She followed it up in 1997 with another win. She won Chick-fil-A Charity Championships twice. Nancy Lopez hosted the event.
She hopes that she can have the same impact on others as some of the greatest players in sports had on her.
Sorenstam said, “I believe the purpose of this is to inspire the future generation. Whether it’s Linn or anyone else in there.”
You hope that they will see events like this or Nancy’s and one day want to emulate them and help others or take the game to a new level. This is what I believe these types of events are about. This is elevating the events to a new level. It’s not just about the quality of the courses, the food and the partnerships but also the memories. “What do you feel when you leave here?”
