Sorenstam held back by rough as teenager makes break
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Annika Sorenstam, in search of the third leg of the Grand Slam, made a slow start at Cherry Hills here yesterday in the first round of the US Women's Open Championship. Looking if not nervous then at least apprehensive, the Swede, who has already won the Nabisco and McDonalds championships, drove into deep rough at the 10th hole, her first.
This was an error on two counts. One, the fairway was so wide as to be almost unmissable and two, the rough this week is distinctly longer and tougher than it was for the men's US Open at Pinehurst last week.
Sorenstam had 150 yards to go to the green but could only advance the ball 100 yards before chipping to six feet. She then had a straightforward, uphill putt, which she pulled, to drop a shot. Earlier this week the Swede had identified the key to success at Cherry Hills - "stay out of the rough" - only to deny herself at the first opportunity.
She was fortunate in her starting time, too. Going out at 8.28am meant the benefit of clear blue skies, no wind and only hot instead of baking hot.
In the group ahead, Sorenstam was being shown how the course should be played by the 17-year-old Morgan Pressel, an amateur who came to notice at the age of 12 when she first qualified for this championship.
She has continued to be a golfing prodigy, this being the third time she has played a US Open.
Yesterday, Pressel began with birdies at her first two holes, the 10th and the long 11th, a 522-yard hole that she reached in two. She holed from seven feet for another birdie at the 13th and at the 433-yard par four 14th, she almost holed her second stroke.
The fairway falls away to a creek to the left and rear of the green and anything slightly mis-hit will finish wet. Pressel pitched her second perfectly to a halt two feet from the hole. A tap-in took her to four-under. Two pars followed but then she took advantage of another par five, the 17th, to birdie again to lead by four from Jennifer Rosales from the Philippines and Lorena Ochoa of Mexico. Sorenstam birdied the 16th to get back to even par.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments