Four Mizuno Classics in a row for Annika
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2004 Mizuno Classic | Wrap | 07 Nov 2004
If Annika Sorenstam was seen late at night digging up the greens and fairways of the Seta Golf Club in Otsu-Shi, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, then it would be perfectly understandable. She has every reason to have fallen in love with the place and I’m sure a golf course she would like to take with her everywhere.
Sorenstam today won the Mizuno Classic at the Seta Golf Club by nine shots, the same winning margin she recorded in last year’s victory, and recorded her third successive win in the co-sanctioned event at this venue. Sorenstam has amassed an amazing 61 under par for her last three wins here and, although today’s winning score is two shots below her record setting 192 in 2003, her domination was no less impressive.
Four ahead of local golfer, Chihiro Nakajima and seven ahead of those sharing third place as she headed into the final round, Sorenstam was slow to get going today but quickly put the outcome beyond doubt, if it wasn’t already, with a run of three birdies and a eagle from the fifth.
Interestingly enough it would be Grace Park who would again finish runner up to Sorenstam for the third consecutive time, sharing that place with two local golfers, Ai Miyazato and Michie Ohba, with both Japanese girls producing last rounds of 63 to share that placing.
For Sorenstam, this would be her 7th LPGA Tour event of the season and take her earnings in 2004 to US$2.35 million, more than US$800,000 ahead of her nearest rival, Grace Park.
Of the Australians, Karrie Webb was solid on day three, a last round 66 seeing her move to a share of 7th place. Rachel Teske was 22nd.
The LPGA Tour now moves to Alabama where Dorothy Delasin will defend her Mitchell Tournament of Champions title before the final event of the year, the ADT Tour Championship in Florida. Sorenstam will not be in Alabama but will be in West Palm Beach.
