While most of you were busy tracking the Big Break III winner Danielle Amiee on the LPGA Tour today, you missed a very entertaining first round at the Wachovia Championship. Spain’s Sergio Garcia lit up the first nine holes by shooting 30. He finished his first round at Quail Hollow with a 66, of which he was disappointed. Garcia said, “I’m happy about the round, but at the same time, I look at it and say, ‘This could have been amazing.’ I didn’t make as many putts as I deserved. I could have easily shot 61 or 62 – easily could have shot that.” A “disappointing” 66 was still enough to hold the two-shot lead.
Garcia Holds Two Stoke Lead at Wachovia
Sergio Garcia breaks the back nine scoring record at Quail Hollow to finish with a first round score of 66, holding the lead by two shots.
Today 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.
The 1-iron, also known as the driving iron, is becoming extinct. Golfers opting for the latest hybrids and fairway metals are leaving their 1-irons at home, not trusting the club’s ability to get the ball in the air. Are there any golfers who still use this club?
Danish born, 37-year old Mianne Bagger, 1995 sexual convert (check out the adam’s apple), recently became the first to play in a professional women’s tournament. Turning professional last year, she sold everything she had when she became eligible to qualify for the LET. Mianne is now the first transsexual to play on a professional sports tour since tennis player Renee Richard (aka Richard Raskind) competed during the 1970’s. But, don’t worry ladies… Mianne recently missed the cut in her first event, the Tenerife Open.
Golf used to be a game of feel, and not just around the green. “This looks like a strong 6-iron,” the pro would say to his caddie (or vice versa). Elevation, wind, temperature, green contours, and even mood could change a club selection.
Tiger Woods is in the field this week for the first time since his 
The LPGA returns to the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Williamsburg, Virginia for the “5th Major” of the year. With a purse of $2.2 million (the second largest pay-out on tour), and a first place check of over $300,000, this tournament attracts the top contenders in the world. Money leader Annika Sorenstam, number two Lorena Ochoa and last week’s winner of the Franklin, Stacy Prammanasudh, are all scheduled to attend. Defending champion Se Ri Pak, number 78 on the 2005 Money List with a meager $20,000 in earnings, has yet to make a move this season. Tied for 81st in birdies, tied for 90th in sand saves and tied for 104th for greens in regulation, it is unlikely that the 25-year old has the mental game to challenge this hot field.