Annika Sorenstam's dominance of women's golf
Bad news for the Brat Pack. Annika Sorenstam thinks she can improve on her 2005 performance. Last year’s performance may have been the most dominant in over 50 years at any level of golf. Tiger Woods has never been as dominant on the PGA Tour as Sorenstam was on the LPGA Tour in 2005. She won an astonishing 50 percent of her Tour starts. Half!!!
The last year in pro golf that measures up would be the abbreviated play of Ben Hogan in 1953. That year The Hawk entered 6 tournaments and won 5 of them. Did I mention that 3 of the 5 wins were Majors? He would have been the odds-on favorite to win the Professional Grand Slam but was unable to participate in the PGA Championship because he played in the Open Championship at Carnoustie and scheduling combined with travel times of the era would not permit both. Before that, Byron Nelson’s year of 1945 was absolute magic, producing 11 wins in a row and 18 overall. It’s almost hard to fathom just how dominant Lord Byron’s feat is. But the all-time standard bearer for great play would be Bobby Jones in 1928, when he won the Grand Slam as an amateur (beating the worlds greatest professionals in 2 of them). Then he retired. I guess he figured, ‘Nuff said’.
Annika is smack dab in the middle of her prime and obviously has a choke-hold on the older members of the LPGA. Just because some great young talent like Creamer, Wie & Pressel have come on board the LPGA express in 2006, don’t look for a decline in Sorenstam’s performance. It may just spur her on to even greater heights. I wouldn’t be surprised if she eventually reached 100 wins on the LPGA Tour. The question is, if she maintains or improves on this level of play, can the kiddies ever reach that level themselves. I have to believe that maybe they can, but if they do it won’t be any time soon.
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18 comments
Annika did it.
Paula Creamer did very well in the second round to get into the last group with Annika.
However, Annika performed on the back nine, and that was that.
So far Paula Creamer hasn't stepped up to the mark, when faced with Annika down the stretch. However, Paula is getting very valuable experience and eventually Annika is bound to have an off day, and if Paula can hold on and take the title, it would mean great things for her confidence and for her challenging Annika after that.
Unfortunately for Wie, it will probably be a major when she faces Annika down the stretch, and she won't have as much valuable experience as Paula has.
Natalie had an incredible final round tying the course record. Now if she could just see her put some rounds together she may have a shot at her first win after three years on the tour.
Paula couldn't recover from a couple of bad lies in the final round and it took her out of contention quickly. Overall though she looked more comfortable in Mexico than she did in Hawaii. The Deer in the headlights look was long gone. Maybe the Golf Carts helped get over the hump.
Lorena was never in the match held in her home country. It is so tough to be the favorite.
Only four players were hit with the trots during the event, setting a new low for a tournament in Mexico. I bet they pack in their own chow and water next year.
Pressel and Miyazato have their work cut out for them to get ROY. The current money leader Seon Hwa Lee is a rookie and has played well in all three events so far. Lots of time left, though Miyazato has been pretty mediocre.
She'll have to break a leg before anyone catches her.
"Unfortunately for Wie, it will probably be a major when she faces Annika down the stretch, ..."
This has already happened in the 2003 Kraft Nabisco. Michelle made a huge move on "moving day" to get into the final group on Sunday with Annika and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc. Then faded badly on Sunday to finish T9th.
Are you saying that Michelle faded as a 13 year old, in the final group with the worlds best player and sliped to 9th place.
Actually, Kaialii, even though, there would be no shame if she did fade, you are lying or else mistaken.
Micelle Wie's scores:
72, 74, 66, 72.
Michelle's simply had an excellent 3rd round. Her last round score was equal or better than her previous 2 rounds, so that is not fading.
It is simply an excellent 3rd round, and an average fourth round for her.
Annika at the Mastercard made adjustments to her swing and stance mid round. She did not have her "A" game the last two days, but was able to manufacture a win. Nobody does it better.
Did anyone notice that Annika was sporting a new Sponsor's Logo on her Polo? The deal with Lexus is done and the Mercedes logo is history.
Hey Michelle is looking for a good used car, maybe Annika will be selling a few Mercedes to make room for the fleet of new Toyotas she is expected to drive in her contract. I wonder which Buick models Tiger drives around Isleworth?
Was anyone else surprised to see Annika's Rolex rating drop folllowing her win? Wie's rating dropped quite a bit.
Just picking my words to chum the board. It worked, I did get lots of replies.
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