Will McGee likes to work on his game with his legendary mom, and in his pitch for her to compete in the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open, said “Come on, this will give you something to practice towards.”
How could a mother resist?
The USGA has announced that Annika Sorenstam filed an entry to compete in this year’s Women’s Open at Pine Needles June 2-5 in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Sorenstam won by six strokes there in 1996, much to the delight of her friend, the late Peggy Kirk Bell. During her amateur days, Sorenstam sometimes stayed with the Bells and quickly bonded with Peggy, who called Sorenstam “Heineken” because she couldn’t pronounce her name.
The last time Sorenstam, a 10-time major winner, competed in a U.S. Women’s Open was 2008, and she holed her last shot for eagle from 199 yards on the 18th hole at Interlachen.
Annika Sorenstam of Sweden hits her third shot on the 18th hole to make eagle during the final round of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club on June 29, 2008, in Edina, Minnesota. (Photo by Travis Lindquist/Getty Images)
Husband Mike McGee choked up just thinking about that moment. He recalled going into the TV booth after the round with Sorenstam where both Dottie Pepper and Johnny Miller had tears in their eyes.
“I remember that because I was crying too,” said McGee. “It was Hollywood-esque because it was meant to be.”
The USGA sent a framed photo of that shot, with Sorenstam in the middle of her backswing and a packed gallery looking on. It hangs in their home in Tahoe.
They could’ve never dreamed that 14 years later she’d tee it up in another Women’s Open – with a $10 million purse. Sorenstam, of course, earned her spot in the field by winning last year’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open by eight strokes at Brooklawn Country Club in her championship debut.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play in a U.S. Women’s Open again, especially with it being held at Pine Needles. I really never thought I would play in another one, but everything just sort of fell into place. Teeing it up in the greatest championship in women’s golf, at a venue that has so many incredible memories for me, and to be able to do so with my family means a lot to us. I’m sure Peggy Kirk Bell is looking down and smiling at how this all came together.”
Sorenstam has competed in 15 U.S. Women’s Opens, winning three times. She made the cut in her first LPGA start in 13 years last spring at the Gainbridge Classic at Lake Nona, where she lives on the 16th hole.
Annika Sörenstam of Sweden plays her shot from the third tee during the third round of the 2022 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club on January 22, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, she competed once again in the celebrity division of the tour’s season-opening event from the same tees as the LPGA players, though in a Modified Stableford Format.
“She realized playing the same tees and same group with Gaby (Lopez) and Nelly (Korda) that she had the chance to not embarrass herself anyway,” said McGee.
Sorenstam’s presence at what is already a historic event, given the record purse that’s on offer, generates even more interest in the most important championship in women’s golf.
To commemorate the moment, fans who purchase two good-any-day Daily Gallery tickets for this year’s U.S. Women’s Open will receive a special edition Annika Sorenstam bobblehead. The limited-time offer ends February 28.
Of course, with Sorenstam looking to defend her title this August at the Senior Women’s Open at NCR Country Club in Kettering, Ohio, one can’t help but think ahead to the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach. Sounds like a fine place for a legend to finish out her U.S. Women’s Open career – for a second time.
Might be a good idea to order more bobbleheads.