In the battle between youth and experience Annika Sorenstam prevailed over 15-year old amateur Michelle Wie. This was far from a blow-out as Sorenstam only won by three strokes with a 1-over 73 over the teenager. Starting with a five-stroke advantage, it appeared to be Sorenstam’s tournament but Wie made it difficult on the LPGA’s number one golfer.
As Wie charged through the course making her 18 holes look easy Annika looked a bit sloppy and uncomfortable as time took it’s toll on the 34-year old Sorenstam. Wie challenged the course and came in under par while Sorenstam tired late in the round bogeying three of her final four holes.
In the end however experience prevailed and Annika laid claim to a $270,000 check, a beautiful sterling silver trophy and her second major title of 2005. As Annika said when accepting her trophy at the McDonalds LPGA Championship for the third consecutive year, “I wanted it so badly. It’s a dream come true”.
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Just being on the same golf course as Annika Sorenstam is enough to intimidate most LPGA golfers. Calendar-girl Natalie Gulbis didn’t feel that pressure today even though she played alongside of Sorenstam showing confidence as she birdied her five closing holes to grab a share of the lead at 5-under par 67.
Annika Sorenstam is looking to secure yet another entry into the annals of history. Her challenge this week is to defend last year’s McDonald’s LPGA Championship trophy and become the only golfer to stand in the winner’s circle three years in a row.
When Annika Sorenstam is at the top of the leaderboard it’s almost a given that she will reign victorious on Sunday. Annika has won her previous five matches where she either led or held a share of the lead going into the final round so it was no surprise that the 34-year old Swede would take control on Sunday. Sorenstam has six top-ten finishes out of the seven events she has played this year and is tied with Hall-of-Famer Betsy King for the most wins in this event.
Juli Inkster (65) has been playing at the Shoprite Classic every year since it began and was the tournament’s first winner in 1986. Both she and Annika are two-time winners of the event. The two ladies entered the clubhouse admirably after a rain-soaked round with Sorenstam just two strokes behind Hall-of-Fame member Inkster.
The winds didn’t seem to have much of an effect on 32-year old swede Sophie Gustafson. Sophie turned in a 66 today with a spectacular round of eight birdies and only two bogeys on 9 and 11. She made back-to-back birdies on the 5th and 6th holes, again at the 12th and 13th holes and a triple threat with birdies on 15, 16 and 17. Gustafson putted only 24 times today and drove the ball over 300 yards. She is third in driving average on the LPGA tour this season. “You’ve got to be aggressive here,” said Gustafson.