Sorenstam continues LPGA domination with Safeway victory

BY iseekgolf.com | LPGA Tour | 2003 Safeway Classic | Wrap | 29 Sep 2003

Annika Sorenstam won her fifth event of the LPGA Tour season and the 47th of her career when she edged out a determined Beth Daniel over the closing holes of the Safeway Classic in Oregon today to successfully defend her title. The win takes her 2003 earnings on the USPGA Tour to $US1,695,000 and close to $US400,000 ahead of her nearest rival, Se Ri Pak.

Sorenstam was pressed every inch of the way by veteran Beth Daniel who hardly put a foot wrong throughout. Daniel had opened with a 62 in Friday’s first round and shared the lead with Sorenstam entering the third and final round. A lack of bogeys today had her very much in with a chance throughout, but a seven birdie haul by Sorenstam saw her edge ahead at the 17th hole and then close the door at the 18th with a rock solid par.

Daniel, like so many of her colleagues on the LPGA and PGA Tours, has found a new lease of life late into her forties. She has won the Canadian Open and had six other top tens in her season to date and this win will move her inside the top ten on this season’s money list with $US728,000. This is already her second best season to date in her 24 year career, although it is still short of the $866,300 she earned in that amazing 1990 season when she won seven titles, but a great season nonetheless for the 46-year-old.

Sorenstam continues what has been a superb season by anyone’s standards but she is still some way short of the amazing feats in 2002. Given the distractions of 2003, it is still a brilliant year with more yet to come one would imagine.

Christie Kerr was alone in third with Leta Lindley fourth.

Michelle Ellis was the best Australian in 13th place, finding some late season form after a rather ordinary year. Karrie Webb was 17th, Rachel Teske and Joanne Mills 34th and Shani Waugh 65th.