For the first time since the initial release back in February 2006, Annika Sorenstam heads into play in a LPGA major not ranked No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings. That honor goes to Lorena Ochoa, who took over the top spot on April 23rd and shows no signs of giving it back, including getting her first playoff win last week at the Wegman's LPGA event in Rochester, New York.
So does that mean you should not consider Sorenstam one of the favorites to win the 62nd U.S. Women's Open when it begins on Thursday at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, NC? History will tell you that would be making a big mistake, as she thrives on challenges just like this.
That is why she isn't afraid to say she wants to shoot 59 again, that she wants to win all four majors in one season, and why she chose to play against the men in The Memorial back in 2003. After being so dominant for so long on tour, she looks for new goals to keep her focused. This might be the toughest challenge for her yet.
This will be only the sixth tournament out of a possible 13 for Annika so far this season. She missed more than a month after suffering a ruptured disc and bulging disc, which forced her to withdraw from the Ginn Open in April. She has played in three tournaments since then, including a tie for 15th at the McDonald's LPGA Championship two weeks ago.
If you asked golf experts for their pick to win this week, almost all would tell you it has to be Lorena Ochoa.
In addition to being ranked No. 1, she has been consistent and dominant this season. In 13 tournaments played, she has 11 top-10 finishes, including three wins and three runner-up finishes. She comes in on a hot streak, as well, finishing sixth or better in her last four tournaments with 14 of 16 rounds under par.
Ochoa also leads the tour in eight of 13 statistical categories, emphasizing her dominance this year. She is still searching for her first major and this could be the week she breaks through, as she is far too talented to have not won a major yet.
Other top contenders include 2007 major winners Suzann Pettersen and Morgan Pressel, as well as youngsters Brittany Lincicome and Paula Creamer, who stand third and fourth respectively on the money list.
Pettersen is experiencing a breakthrough season, capturing her first win at the Michelob Ultra Open and following that up with her first major at the McDonald's LPGA Championship to push her past $1 million in season earnings for the first time in her career. She also finished tied for second at Kraft Nabisco and could have won, but finished with a bogey-double bogey-bogey string on holes 15 through 17 in the final round to lose by one shot to Pressel.
Pressel is returning to the site of her first taste of LPGA tournament play. Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club is where she became the youngest player ever to qualify for a U.S. Women's Open back in 2001 at 12 years and 11 months old. Earlier this year, she became the youngest player in LPGA Tour history to win a major championship by winning the Kraft Nabisco Championship at 18 years, 10 months, and nine days.
It's a good thing she became the youngest to win a LPGA major as she is no longer the youngest to play in a U.S. Women's Open. That honor now belongs to 12-year-old Alexis Thompson of Coral Springs, FL, who broke Pressel's record last month and became the youngest to qualify at 12 years, four months, and one day.
Despite all the distractions she has caused on tour this year, Michelle Wie's performance in majors brings her into the discussion, as well. It remains to be seen what effect the wrist injury she suffered will have on her game, or how she will be affected by the controversy her recent comments and actions have caused.
Former money title winners Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb have regained their form recently and could also be factors this week. Another veteran who seems poised for a major win is Cristie Kerr, who has top 20 finishes in both majors this year and the game to win an Open title. There is also the distinct possibility we could see a first-time winner, as has been the case in six of the 13 events so far this season.
The last time the tournament was held at Pine Needles in 2001, Karrie Webb lapped the field, finishing as the only player under par at -7 and winning by 8 shots over Pak. If those scores were any indication, the leaderboard this year could look very similar to the men's Open at Oakmont, with lots of black numbers showing up.
The level of talent in the LPGA is at an all-time high, with numerous young players stepping up their game and many veterans regaining past form. It sets up for an exciting week of play on a difficult course that will test players shot making and patience in rounds that typically run more than five hours long.
Last year, the four majors were won by Hall of Famers Pak, Webb, Sorenstam, and veteran Sherri Steinhauer. This year has seen two of the next generation of LPGA players win their first majors in Pettersen and Pressel.
Will this weekend continue the trend of young players establishing themselves, or will one of the veterans recapture their youth and claim another major championship?
We won't know the answer to that question until about 6 PM on Sunday night, but we do know this: we are witnessing the greatest period of women's golf ever. The depth of talent is undeniable, and it is only going to continue to get better.
The next generation of LPGA stars are here and they are ready to take their place at the head table.
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