ORLANDO (Florida) — Annika Sorenstam had her first bogey-free round for more than ten years to open the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. She now leads the celebrity section. After Annika’s round, Caddie Mike McGee quickly pointed that out to his wife.
Sorenstam said, “Obviously, I’m very happy,” after scoring 39 points in Stableford after shooting 3-under-69 at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club.
Mardy Fish leads Sorenstam by two points, having lost to Derek Lowe in a playoff last year. Sorenstam, a 72-time LPGA winner, was asked if she checks out the LPGA sideboard, where Brooke Henderson leads after a 5-under par 67.
She said, “I am competitive, but it isn’t like I look at the scene and say, I wish that I was there.” “I am very content where I am.
“But the competitive side doesn’t disappear.”
Brooke Henderson and Brittany Henderson react to Brooke’s putt on the 18th Green during the first round of Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, January 19, 2023 in Orlando. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images).
The family flew to Tahoe to enjoy a few weeks of skiing at their second house after Will competed in the PNC Championship. With the Hilton Grand Vacations Annika Invitational closing a few days back, the first part of the year was filled with foundation work.
Ashleen Kaur won by one with a 40-foot downhill putt to eagle. She also received a spot in the field for this week’s competition.
Sorenstam beaming, said, “I saw her today, and her father is like joy,” “That’s what I want to give them is incredible experiences they will never forget.” She is very happy.
Sorenstam was paired with TOC rookie Gemma Dryburgh, on Thursday. Sorenstam was told by the Scot that she participated in her junior tournament at 17 years of age.
Dryburgh said, “So it was quite crazy looking back now as well as now playing with her at an event.” “Very cool. I asked her a few questions. I tried to be patient and not bombard her with too many questions, but I wanted to absorb as much information as possible.
Although Sorenstam did not have as much time to prepare for this event as she would have liked, she still has new Callaway clubs in her bag.
Sorenstam put in a Paradym driver and was able to find an additional 8 yards. Sorenstam then asked Callaway for new clubs. She’s now zipping along with a recent tweak to her Paradym irons.
She said that she was looking for anything that would give her one more mile per hour club head speed and one more yard. They’re right now doing it for me.
Sorenstam stated that she is starting the ball higher and launching the ball higher together with her driver.
She said that if she can lift it in the air, then it’s actually staying there a bit longer. That’s all I need. It feels almost 10 yards away. That’s my goal.
Sorenstam feels good after her first round at home but is not sure how the rest of her competitive schedule will go. In two weeks, she will travel to Portugal to compete in a senior event.
The 2021 U.S. Senior Ladies’ Open champion stated, “I know clearly LPGA isn’t where I belong anymore.” “Just kind of watch it go and see what I feel.”
