Annika Sorenstam Wins In China
While the LPGA was in South Korea for the Kolon Championship (winner: Candie Kung), the Ladies European Tour was staging the Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open 2008 in China. And Sorenstam, who began the third round five strokes off the lead, surged with a final-round 65 to force a playoff, then defeated China's Li Ying Ye on the second playoff hole.
The victory is the 89th of Sorenstam's career around the world. Sorenstam's career is coming to a close soon, with just a few more tournament appearances yet to come before she "steps away" from tournament golf.
But will that "stepping away" be permanent? As we've noted previously, Sorenstam has assiduously avoided using the term "retirement." About that, Annika had this to say while in China:
"This means I could make a comeback to competitive golf if I get the itch to come back. But for the time being, I'll be out of mainstream golf events as I look forward to my marriage in January and do the many things I plan to do – teaching golf, organizing golf tournaments, golf course designing and so forth. I'm all excited about the new chapter ahead of me beginning next year."I have mixed feelings – good times and bad. Too many good things to forget but there were times I made lots of mistakes and I learned from my mistakes. Those were my glorious days. I met a lot of people and experienced many good things – shooting a 59 and winning the U.S. Open. I'll cherish these moments for the rest of my life. For 15 years I was working inside the ropes and now I want to do things outside the ropes.
"I've come to a point where I need a change in my activities, get married and raise a new family and do other things in the development of golf. I need to get re-motivated, thus the change will give me a new zeal.
"... I'm still young – 38 only. But 15 years on the Tour is a bit too long. I'll still be involved in golf but in other ways and as I said if I get the itch to comeback to competitive golf, I'll do so, but it may not be too soon."
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Comments
Annika was one of the best athletes in the world at the top of her game and you get the feeling that she could be again if she got the urge. She also is very cute. TV cameras do not do her justice.