Golf Insider: Sorenstam would love to claim a fourth Open title

Win or lose, Annika Sorenstam will walk away from this week’s U.S. Women’s Open as an official ambassador for the tournament’s sanctioning body.

The U.S. Golf Association recently finalized that relationship, naming Sorenstam a USGA ambassador whose duties begin with Thursday’s opening round at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn.

Sorenstam, 37, will be the focus of a first-round webcast on the USGA’s tournament site ( www.uswomensopen.com), with fans able to view streaming video of Thursday’s shots as they occur. It’s a USGA first, with other duties for Ambassador Annika to be firmed up when she retires as a competitive golfer after the 2008 season.

Jim Vernon, USGA president, said Sorenstam has "earned a rare place in golf’s history" with 72 victories at LPGA Tour events, including 10 major titles and a tour record of more than $22 million in earnings.

Along the way, the 2003 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame has won three titles at the Women’s Open. The tournament record is four, and Sorenstam can think of no better way to cement her relationship with the USGA than to match that mark Sunday in her final round at the most prestigious event in women’s golf.

"That would be great," said Sorenstam, who won Women’s Open titles in 1995, 1996 and 2006. "I know I can do it. I’ve done it in the past … I love the golf course and I feel good about my game."

Sorenstam’s warm, fuzzy feelings for Interlachen date back to 2002, when the course was the venue for the Solheim Cup. Although her European team fell to the United States 15 1/2 to 12 1/2 , Sorenstam put together a 3-1-1 record in her matches. She plans to lean on that comfort zone this week at a course where accurate approach shots are essential.

"I love old, traditional courses, and this is a typical one where you have small greens," said Sorenstam, who ranks second among LPGA players in hitting greens in regulation (74.9 percent). "You have to work the ball off the tee. I think it’s going to be a perfect venue for the Open."

Especially for Sorenstam, a power player who should thrive at the longest layout in Women’s Open history (6,789 yards, par 73).

Lorena Ochoa, who has displaced Sorenstam as the No. 1 player in women’s golf, acknowledged that the USGA is picking an appropriate player to become its latest ambassador.

"I’ve always admired her," Ochoa said. "I like the way she handles things, on and off the course. I look at her as a role model."

For the rest of the season, however, Ochoa sees Sorenstam as a threat. Heading into Thursday’s opening round, Ochoa leads the LPGA Tour in victories (six) and earnings ($2,009,426). Sorenstam is second in both departments, at three wins and $1,423,900.

Ochoa has one major title this season (Kraft Nabisco Championship). Sorenstam has zero, with two majors remaining. If either player can pick off both titles, she’ll be well-positioned to lead the money list and be the favorite to become Player of the Year.

Sorenstam, an eight-time Player of the Year, would love to cap her career with title No. 9. That’s why the USGA’s newest ambassador views her final Open appearance as more than a nostalgic walk in the park.

"I’m focusing on playing golf," Sorenstam said. "I have a chance to win the money list and player of the year. I want to finish well. That’s my focus. Nothing else."

Quoteboard

By the numbers

2 Golfers with four career victories at the U.S. Women’s Open, a record Annika Sorenstam seeks to match this week. The list: Betsy Rawls (1951, 1953, 1957, 1960) and Mickey Wright (1958, 1959, 1961, 1964).

3 Holes used in a Sunday playoff, if necessary, to break a tie after regulation at the Women’s Open.

11.5 Target greens speeds, based on Stimpmeter readings, at the Women’s Open.

1,236 Competitors who attempted to qualify for one of the 156 spots in the field at the Women’s Open.

6,789 Length, in yards, of Interlachen Country Club, site of the Women’s Open. The par-73 course will be the longest in tournament history.

U.S. Golf Association

U.S. Women’s Open

Site: Edina, Minn., Interlachen Country Club (6,789 yards, par 73)

TV: Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., ESPN; Friday, 2-6 p.m., ESPN; Saturday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m., KXAS/5

Purse: TBA ($3.1 million, $560,000 to win in 2007)

2007 winner: Cristie Kerr

PGA Tour

Buick Open

Site: Grand Blanc, Mich., Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club (7,127 yards, par 72)

TV: Thursday, 1-5 p.m., Golf; Friday, 2-5 p.m., Golf; Saturday-Sunday, 2-5 p.m., KTVT/11

Purse: $5 million, $900,000 to win

2007 winner: Brian Bateman

Champions Tour

Commerce Bank

Championship

Site: East Meadow, N.Y., Eisenhower Park, Red Course (7,021 yards, par 71)

TV: Friday, noon-2 p.m., Golf; Saturday-Sunday, noon-3 p.m., Golf

Purse: $1.6 million, $240,000 to win

2007 winner: Lonnie Nielsen

Nationwide Tour

Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic

Site: Clarksburg, Ontario, The Georgian Bay Club (7,139 yards, par 71) and Raven Golf Club at Lora Bay (7,105 yards, par 72)

TV: Thursday-Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Golf; Saturday-Sunday, 5:30-8 p.m., Golf

Purse: $800,099, $144,017 to win

2007 winner: inaugural event

PGA European Tour

French Open

Site: Versailles, France, Le Golf National, Albatross Course (7,225 yards, par 71)

TV: Thursday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Golf; Saturday-Sunday, 7-10 a.m., Golf

Purse: $6.21 million, $1,035,655 to win

2007 winner: Graeme Storm