Sorenstam doing it by the book
Annika Sorenstam is being helped by none other than Tiger Woods as she tries to capture the first professional women’s event ever staged at the Home of Golf.
Woods, winner of the 2000 and 2005 Open Championship over the Old Course at St Andrews, has lent Sorenstam his yardage book for her attempt to lift the most eagerly-awaited Women’s British Open in history.
“We spoke in Orlando a few weeks ago and he said ’You know I have a yardage book, would you like to use it?”’ said the Swede, who currently has 10 majors against Woods’ 12.
“I said ’I would love to, are you sure?’ He said ’Yeah.’
“It would be tough to describe in words what winning here would mean. This is a milestone for women’s golf. There’s going to be history made when the first shot is hit tomorrow and then again on Sunday when the last putt is hit.
“I’ve been here as an amateur (she won the St Rule Trophy in 1990), but I appreciate it a bit more now.
“It’s such a fabulous course. I’m excited to be here and it’s a treat to play, it’s amazing to walk down the fairways absorbing the history.”
The main pieces of advice from Woods, who triumphed by eight shots over Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn in 2000 and then by five over Colin Montgomerie two years ago, are things Sorenstam says she already knew.
“Hit it left and practise long putts. Lag putting is going to be key,” she added.
But the 36-year-old revealed that there are various little notes jotted down in the yardage book which she hopes to put to good use.
Woods’ first Open victory is remembered for the fact that he did not go in a single bunker all week. He could not repeat that in 2005, but he still has a mastery of the links that nobody else came close to.
Like the men’s world number one, Sorenstam is without a major victory this season.
She has been battling a herniated and ruptured disc in her back and, now down to third in the rankings behind Mexican Lorena Ochoa and Australian Karrie Webb, she admits she is not yet back to full fitness.
“I’m totally pain-free, but my strength is not back. With my driving I feel I am further away than I want to be. I’m feeling better every day, but it could take another three or four months.”
Sixth at last week’s Evian Masters in France Sorenstam added: “It had been a while since I was in contention and I have to admit I was a bit nervous, but that’s the feeling I love.
“I want to get back to 100% and back to the level I know how.”
Ochoa, despite her climb to the top of the rankings, has yet to win her first major, but she said today that with an army of supporters with her this week, she can think of no better place to put that right.
“My mom didn’t make it, but my dad, my two brothers, my sister, an aunt and a lot of close friends – like 25 Mexicans – are here. It’s very important for me and it would be great to share the moment with them.”
