Now That's How you Finish!
Annika Sorenstam wasn't going to win yesterday, in what may prove to be her final US Open. She still figured out a way to get the biggest roar of the day at the 72nd hole.
Entering Sunday's round at Interlachen Country Club within reach of the championship trophy, she struggled in what could be her last 18 holes ever played in a U.S. Women's Open. The day had been riddled with bogeys, although the cries from fans of "Annika, we love you!" and "Annika, you are gonna win!" proved that a bad day was not about to erase her celebrated mark.Sorenstam was five over for the round when she stepped to the 72nd hole, her 1,026th of her career at the U.S. Women's Open. The elusive championship nod was far outside of her reach. With 6-iron in hand, she rocketed the ball toward the green from 199 yards out. It took a big before the green and then two more smaller bounces before it kept inching closer to the hole. Then it disappeared for an improbable eagle.
Most legends go out with a final round of polite applause amid a flurry of duffs and whiffs on their way to an 82. If you're lucky, like Jack Nicklaus, you get to drain a birdie on the 18th at St. Andrews. Annika's leaving when she can still compete, if not at the levels she wants to compete.