Annika back to her winning ways in US
IN: News | LPGA | John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic (2005) | Wrap | by Bruce Young | 19 Sep 2005
In case there was any real reason to believe that Annika had gone anywhere, she proved today she was well and truly back although the lady who may well prove to be one of, if not her greatest rival in years to come, Paul Creamer, ran her very close at the John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic.
After winning six of her first eight events in 2005, Sorenstam has hardly been missing in action in recent months, but by her standards and the expectations we now have on her, her more recent form on the LPGA Tour has been down on that earlier in the season.
This was yet another event she was defending and when she took a one shot lead over Australian Michelle Ellis and Swede Maria Hjorth into the final round it appeared to be fait accompli.
On a tough demanding golf course, Sorenstam was doing all she needed to do through the first fifteen holes and had a three shot lead over the fast finishing Creamer. The Swede would bogey the 16th and 18th to eventually finish just one ahead.
"Luckily I had a little cushion, and at the end it seemed like I needed it. For me, a win is a win. I thought I played excellent the first two days. It's a tough golf course and a lot of things are shaping up at the end of year. So this meant a lot to me."
It is perhaps not surprising that the two leading players on the LPGA Tour in 2005 fought out the finish on one of the toughest courses the LPGA plays all season.
Maria Hjorth held on in the end to finish in a share of third with Diana D'Alessio, who in only her fifth start on the LPGA Tour in 2005, managed to finish third, a career best for her.
Michelle Ellis, who has struggled for most of the year and was in need of a top finish, had her chance when she entered the final round one back of Sorenstam. She would fall away today however and her final round of 79 cost her dearly. She finished 13th and shared that place with Rachel Hetherington who also spent money over the closing nine holes.
Nadina Taylor was 26th, Wendy Doolan 32nd, Karrie Webb 39th, and Mardi Lunn 76th.
The LPGA now has a week off before the Office Depot tournament in Los Angeles.
