Annika Lost – Does It Mean Anything?
So the reigning queen of the LPGA, Annika Sorenstam, lost a 4-hole playoff that smart money said she should have won very easily. Well, it’s not 1995 anymore and somewhat like the PGA Tour, these young ladies just don’t quake in their shoes as they might have a generation ago when playing the number one player in the world.
Meaghan Francella played very solid golf the entire tournament and though Sorenstam made an unlikely bogey at 16, Francella didn’t back into this win, she earned every bit of it. Does this mean she’s on par (no pun intended) with the likes of Creamer, Ochoa, Granada, Webb, or Kerr? Not quite, but proved she can win and beat the top woman player in the world in doing so.
Also, Sorenstam’s priorities are changing and there’s nothing wrong with that. Some have suggested that the young crop of South Koreans and Americans have given her pause to question whether she has the drive any longer to compete. I think she has the drive, but it’s not the number one priority any longer. And I do think when she retires, she’ll do it and be gone.
I’m still wondering about Gulbis and Pressel. Are they going to win this year, or ever? And Creamer surprised everyone by missing the cut this past weekend. I wasn’t completely surprised with Gulbis missing the cut because she has to get her putter figured out before she can realistically challenge for a win.