Sorenstam grinds every step in US Womens Open final | LPGA

PIBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA | It wasn’t the finish she wanted — the tee shot shot into the rocks along the Pacific Ocean, followed by some frantic shots that led to a closing double bogey — but Annika Sorenstam may have been the only person who cared about what she shot Friday at . Pebble Beach. The fact that she was there in her final appearance at the US Women’s Open was all that mattered.

A wave of people worked their way down the final fairway, crowding the gallery ropes to see every shot. The stands behind the 18th green – a fifth full in the group before that, which included first-round leader Xiyu Janet Lin – filled within seconds as Annika, Michelle Wie West and In Gee Chun walked up, the final two. .

After all the putts were made, USGA CEO Mike Whan presented bouquets of flowers to Annika and Michelle as their family, friends and a host of other players gave long and loving hugs.

He refuses to do anything in the middle, even if it’s walking down the fairway and waving to the crowd. Mailing it is not a phrase translated into Swedish, and it is a concept that has never occurred to Annika. When he finished, he was liked for the way he played. But like most people with 52 years of wisdom, the feelings quickly passed. All that was left were the memories and reflections of what this major has meant to her legacy and the women’s game in general.

“It’s been a great week in a lot of ways,” Annika said afterward, her son Will by her side and her husband Mike McGee and daughter Ava sitting just a few feet away. “Thank you to the USGA. Thank you to Pebble Beach for hosting this major championship here. And to all the fans today, I just really felt the love and the support. It was great to come down here after the last few holes to feel welcomed and appreciated and to have family and friends here.This has been a special week in many ways.

“Obviously I would have liked to have finished a little better, but this course kicked me in the back this week, but in a good way. I think it’s a really good setup. It’s a real test in many ways, in good shape and just really fair. It just wasn’t meant to be, but everything else was meant to be, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be here.”

When he accepted a special exception to play at Pebble, he did as he always does and went to work. When there is an event on the horizon, Annika grinds. When it comes to the USGA Championship, practice is especially intense.

But he has many other responsibilities. Annika hosts the Scandinavian Mixed event on the LET and DP World Tour. He also has a foundation with junior invitationals throughout the year. He is a speaker, teacher and entrepreneur. His range of Fizzy Beez drinks continues to grow and he continues to work with Callaway, Rolex and LOHLA Sport clothing.

Over the past year, she and Mike hosted a fundraiser for the victims of a train derailment and chemical spill in Mike’s hometown of East Palestine, Ohio. And next week, he’ll be playing celebrity in the American Century Championship near the family’s summer home in Lake Tahoe.

“I thought the last (US Women’s Open) would be in 2008,” she said. “But then when Will loved the game so much and COVID and me turning 50, I suddenly started playing a little bit and then I got a release.

“But participating in this tournament has meant a lot to me. To see how far women’s golf has come in the last few years playing courses like this, I hope there are young girls around the world who watch this championship and dream of playing in the LPGA or USGA championships one day .I think it’s great to be a part of this event.

“Having said that, I know this is the last one. But it’s been great to be here and really feel now that they’ve taken the championship to another level. We’ve played some great courses in the past, there’s no doubt about that, but this is the kind of course. People fly in from all over the world to come here to play.

“You’re seeing a record crowd. It’s been a success in every aspect. That says a lot about the event.”

His thoughtfulness also says a lot about Annika.

He won’t disappear. Annika is at this year’s US Senior Women’s Open and PNC Championship again with Will. But the US Women’s Open torch has been passed.

Fans on Friday at Pebble Beach were excited to tell him, thank you.