While it may look like a bit of a flashback, this is real time: Annika Sorenstam leads the LPGA.
Of course, the LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer is partnered this week with Madelene Sagstrom, a talented young Swede who was one of Sorenstam’s captain’s picks in the 2017 Solheim Cup.
Together, they co-lead the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational after an opening 5-under 65 in the alternate-shot format that included only one late bogey. Pauline Roussin and Dewi Weber share the lead with the Swedes at Midland Country Club, where morning rain delayed tee times by 2 hours and 40 minutes.
It was after 4 p.m. local time by the time Sorenstam and Sagstrom teed off.
“I was excited to be here,” said Sorenstam, “and I told that to Madelene on the range. I was really kind of pumped and looking forward to playing.”
Sagstrom, who is currently No. 31 in the world, is a beautiful driver of the golf ball, and the pair knew they could use her length to an advantage, given Sorenstam’s wedge game.
“I think, like we mentioned yesterday, giving Annika as many wedges as possible,” Sagstrom, “and my strategy is always to get on the green as fast as possible. If I get it going, I can make a lot of putts, which I did today. It worked out really well.”
Sorenstam, a 51-year-old mother of two, retired from the LPGA in 2008 but began competing in several events last year in the run-up to her debut in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, which she won. The 72-time winner last won on the LPGA on May 11, 2008, at the Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill. Should Sorenstam win on Saturday, it would be 5,179 days since her last LPGA title.
She’s currently in the midst of a three-week stretch, having played in the American Century Championship last week in Lake Tahoe. Next week she’ll make her debut in the Senior LPGA Championship in Kansas.
This marked Sorenstam’s first time playing a competitive foursomes format since the 2007 Solheim Cup. Sorenstam compiled a career 22-11-4 record at the Solheim Cup, including 11-3-1 in foursomes.
Sorenstam and Sagstrom both live in the Orlando area and spent time practicing together ahead of this week.
“It’s a tough format,” said Sorenstam. “I think the key here today is we have spent a little time together, so it wasn’t just, okay, let’s hook up and play.
“I’m comfortable with her game. I know what she’s capable of doing, and I think she’s also gotten to know me a little bit. It’s not a surprise what comes out of my game, and I’m not super surprised, even though I’m super glad what you did.”
This week also marks the first time that Sorenstam and Karrie Webb have been in the same field since 2008. Webb and partner Marina Alex shot 1-under 69 in their opening round and are tied with a host of players, including sisters Nelly Korda and Jessica Korda.
