Annika Sorenstam misses first LPGA cut since 2002
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Bill Jempty | Saturday, May 13, 2006 |
The best female golfer in the world missed the cut yesterday at the Michelob Ultra Open.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Annika Sorenstam had two hours to wait after finishing play to see if the golf course that had frustrated her again would help keep her in the Michelob Ultra Open for the weekend by doing the same to others. “We’ll see. It’s a long day left,” she said.
Not long enough. With a second straight 2-over-par 73 Friday, the top player in women’s golf missed the cut for the first time since 2002. She finished in a tie for 72nd, with the top 71 players continuing into Saturday on the 6,306-yard layout.
Sorenstam had made 68 consecutive cuts before enduring a second straight day with a balky putter, even as playing partners Karrie Webb and Cristie Kerr did well.
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For Sorenstam, who had finished no better than sixth in three prior appearances at the $2.2 million event, it marked only the second time in 143 events that she failed to make the cut, dating to June 1999, and the first time in 198 non-major events. The last time she missed the cut in a non-major was the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic in July 1994.
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Sorenstam had made 74 consecutive cuts before missing at the British Open in 2002, and said she knew it had been a long time, but only pays attention to victories.
That might serve as a warning to everyone else on tour. She followed that missed cut in 2002 with three consecutive victories, and had won 27 of 65 starts since.
Prior to this event there had been talk of a slump by Annika. It may be coming true. Then again look where Annika is on the money list. There are over 100 women on the LPGA who would be satisfied with that ranking and money total.
Is Annika having a slump? By the standard of her 2002-2005 play, yes she is. Then I feel fans and the golf media have set almost impossible expectations for Annika. Her previous track record in this tournament is unspectacular. A few other factors may be involved also. She is at the age even the best golfers start to decline, there is also alot of competition out there on the LPGA every week. Who knows maybe there are off the course considerations. Annika has a new love in her life. Maybe she’d like to have a family. This could be a distraction but a good one for the Super Swede.
Slump or no slump Annika is still formidable. I wouldn’t place wagers against her being number#1 on the money list at year’s end quite yet.
Personal note- This is my first post to OTB sports. I want to thank James Joyner for allowing me to be a contributor here. His OTB main blog is one of my favorites. I also have my own blog here. There I talk about golf, other sports, Florida matters and politics.
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