It’s official. Annika Sorenstam has filed an entry as a fully exempt player for the 3rd U.S. Women’s Senior Open Championship, the USGA has announced. Sorenstam, 50, will make her debut in the championship July 29-Aug. 1, 2021, at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut.
The last time Sorenstam competed in a USGA championship was the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club. She holed her final shot – a 6-iron from 199 yards for eagle on the 18th hole Sunday.
“When I finished that round at Interlachen, I’m not sure I would have expected to compete for another USGA title in the future, but to have this opportunity now, at this stage of life, is incredible,” said Sorenstam. “USGA championships set themselves apart with world-class venues and world-class fields, and I know the same type of challenge I used to relish at a U.S. Women’s Open awaits at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete, and to do it with my family by my side.”
The 10-time major winner made her first LPGA start in 13 years earlier this year at her home course, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, at the Gainbridge Classic. Remarkably, she played the weekend at Nona, bringing her career tally to 299 cuts made in 308 starts.
Sorenstam owns 72 career LPGA titles. She claimed three U.S. Women’s Open titles in 15 starts and seven top 10s.
Laura Davies won the inaugural Senior Women’s Open by a whopping 10 strokes at Chicago Golf Club in 2018. Helen Alfredsson triumphed in the second edition in 2019. Last year’s championship was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.