Danielle Breaks 80, Annika Struggles at the Michelob Ultra Open

Annika finishes her Thursday round at the Michelob Ultra Open only a few shots ahead of Big Break III attraction Danielle Amiee.

sorenstam_kingsmill.jpgToday was Sorenstam’s worst round since the second round of the 2002 British Open. In all fairness, she’s been out of the loop for several weeks, taking it easy. Annika’s 5-over 76 today and tie for 107th place puts her nine strokes behind another Swede, Catrin Nilsmark (67) and Italian import Silvia Cavalleri (67). Only the top 70 players and ties make the cut, and 82 are now at 2-over or better, so it’s up to Annika to step it up if she doesn’t want to miss the cut.

Danielle Amiee (79) now has just about the same chance of making the cut as Annika. It would be interesting to see Amiee make a move tomorrow and prove herself. Who knows? The two blondes could even be duking it out to see who stays in for the weekend!

Sorenstam hasn’t played golf since her win at the Kraft Nabisco, but her worst round in 44 starts is akin to other’s players better tournaments. Aside from the fact that her putting went AWOL, by the final hole she didn’t need her putter and chipped in from 50 feet tapping the pin before the ball gently fell into the cup. She regularly outdrove Wendy Ward (70) and “Swedish Mom” Carin Koch (73) by ten or twenty yards, smashing the ball over 300 yards on the ninth hole. Good going, Annika, but as we all know, “Drive for show, putt for dough.”

When asked about her round today, Annika replied, “It was not the start I had in mind. I will have to shoot very low the next three days. It is just another challenge. You know, I felt good about my game, I really do. I think I am hitting good putts. It’s got to turn it around for me to have a chance.”

Everyone has something to say about Annika, even Leta Lindley (68), who is currently tied for third place. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she shot a low number tomorrow, even in bad weather,” Lindley said. “It’s only one round. A lot can happen in three more rounds. I would not count her out, by any means.” It’s expected to be a cold and rainy day for round number two.

Emily Bastel (78) and Shani Waugh (72) played alongside of Big Break III winner Danielle Amiee today, with relative unknown Bastel’s score resembling a round out of the Future’s Tour, Amiee’s home tour. Still, she managed to better Danielle’s +8 round of 79. Shani Waugh is currently in a tie for 47th position alongside 19 other golfers including Mexican superstar Lorena Ochoa and last week’s winner, Stacy Prammanasudh.

Juli Inkster (69), another sub-par scorer today is tied with veteran Grace Park, Tour hottie Natalie Gulbis, and 13 other players. Rosie Jones played an even round, currently tied for 35th position, along with 10 others.

Pos   Player                    Today      R1
T1    Silvia Cavalleri           -4        67
T1    Catrin Nilsmark            -4        67
T3    Kristen Samp               -3        68
T3    Cristie Kerr               -3        68
T3    Leta Lindley               -3        68
T3    Laura Diaz                 -3        68
T3    Jill McGill                -3        68
T8    Jean Bartholomew           -2        69
T8    Hana Kim                   -2        69
T8    Brittany Linicome          -2        69
T8    A. J. Eathorne             -2        69
T8    Jan Stephenson             -2        69
T8    Shi Hyun Ahn               -2        69
T8    Michele Redman             -2        69
T8    Wendy Doolan               -2        69
T8    Jeong Jang                 -2        69
T8    Juli Inkster               -2        69
T8    Grace Park                 -2        69
T8    Mi Hyun Kim                -2        69
T8    Natalie Gulbis             -2        69
T8    Jimin Kang                 -2        69
T8    Bernadette Luse            -2        69
T8    Young-A Yang               -2        69

ESPN2 provides the coverage this week starting with the second round: May 06, 3:00-5:00 pm, May 07, 2:00-4:00 pm, and the final round played on Mother’s Day, May 08, 3:00-5:00 pm (all times ET).

Photo Credit: © Scott Halleran/Getty Images.

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