Annika Sorenstam to Compete in Her First U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship

Three-time U.S. Women’s Open champion Annika Sorenstam has filed an entry as a fully exempt player for the 3rd U.S. Women’s Senior Open Championship, which is scheduled for July 29-Aug. 1, 2021, at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Conn. 

 

Sorenstam, who turned 50 last October and plans to make her U.S. Senior Women’s Open debut, was elected president of the International Golf Federation last December. She competed on the LPGA Tour in February at the Gainbridge Classic on her home course, Lake Nona Golf & Country Club,13 years removed from her last competitive start. Sorenstam made the 36-hole cut, her 299th made cut in 308 career LPGA Tour starts. The 2003 World Golf Hall of Fame inductee has competed in 15 U.S. Women’s Opens, with three victories and seven finishes inside the top 10.

This will be Sorenstam’s first USGA championship since the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club, where she capped her career in the championship in heroic fashion by holing a 6-iron from 199 yards for an eagle 3 on the 18th hole on Sunday.

“When I finished that round at Interlachen, I’m not sure I would have expected to compete for another USGA title in the future, but to have this opportunity now, at this stage of life, is incredible,” said Sorenstam. “USGA championships set themselves apart with world-class venues and world-class fields, and I know the same type of challenge I used to relish at a U.S. Women’s Open awaits at the U.S. Senior Women’s Open. I am looking forward to the opportunity to compete, and to do it with my family by my side.”

Sorenstam’s celebrated career includes 72 LPGA Tour titles, 10 majors and eight LPGA Tour Player of the Year honors. Her professional career began with a come-from-behind, one-stroke victory in the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor, her first as an LPGA member. A year later, she successfully defended her title at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club with a six-stroke victory. Ten years later, her third U.S. Women’s Open win and final major title came in an 18-hole Monday playoff over Pat Hurst in 2006 at Newport Country Club.

In 2012, Sorenstam was the recipient of the Bob Jones Award, the USGA’s highest honor, which recognizes an individual who demonstrates spirit, personal character and respect for the game. Her time in recent years has been spent raising her two children, Ava and Will, and participating in a variety of ventures to grow the game through her Annika Foundation.

Online entry applications for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open began on March 31 and continue through June 9 at champs.usga.org.

To be eligible, a player must be age 50 or older at the start of the championship and have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 7.4, or be a professional. More information about the 3rd U.S. Senior Women’s Open is available at usseniorwomensopen.com.