She Seems to Be Perfectly Happy
She is all about going after lofty goals, which is why Annika Sorenstam said last year that she was setting out to win all four majors. She won one, but because this is a new year, it's probably time for another goal for the top player in the world.
How about winning every tournament she plays?
"It would be awesome to see her win everything," Nancy Lopez said.
Sorenstam wouldn't mind it either, goals or not.
"It's not like I look back at last year and say it was a bad year because I didn't achieve my goals," she said. "I won a total of 10 tournaments [worldwide]. That's probably the best year I ever had."
The new one hasn't started so badly. Sorenstam's victory streak is four dating back to last season, which means that she has a shot at history when the $1.8-million Kraft Nabisco Championship begins today at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.
No one has won five in a row since Lopez in 1978.
"I don't have any doubt that she might do it," Lopez said.
If so, it's going to take an even more concentrated burst of power than Sorenstam has come up with in 2005 -- a playoff victory over Lorena Ochoa last week near Phoenix and a three-shot victory over Karrie Webb in Mexico -- because of the pressure associated with a major championship.
It's a crowded field at Mission Hills, where 15-year-old amateur Michelle Wie, 18-year-old rookie Paula Creamer, 19-year-old Japanese star Ai Miyazato and 26-year-old defending champion Grace Park conspire to keep Sorenstam from adding any more material to her professional highlight reel.
Since 2000, Sorenstam has played 108 LPGA events and won 40 -- about 37%. It's 100% in her last four tournaments.
Now in her 12th year, Sorenstam has won 58 times and has a shot at passing Patty Berg, in third place all time with 60. Kathy Whitworth (88) and Mickey Wright (82) are in the distance.
Sorenstam said she's in a good place right now, in her life and in her game.
"I want to win majors. I got off to a great start. I know I'm playing well, I couldn't have better preparation. I know this golf course. I really don't have any excuses," she said. "The only thing that's going to hold me back is the other players playing really good golf, which they are all very capable of doing, and I've just got to play my own golf and see if it's enough or not."
- Sorenstam Gets New Challenge Jun 06, 2003
- Pak Makes Cut in Men's Event Oct 25, 2003
- Accent Is on First Round Feb 18, 2000
