Major Moment...

Good evening everyone.  We have settled into our hotel in Sweden after a long, emotional day.  As you probably know, today was the final round of my last British Open.  I will never forget the crowds and the support I received on each hole despite the rain that lasted almost my entire round.  I played brilliantly today, hitting all 18 greens and shooting a 68.  I had two three-putts and hit a lot of lips, or my score would have been as memorable as the day itself.  It was nice to birdie the 18th hole and I must admit that I shed a few tears.  The fans, articles in the media here, television, players, caddies, and everyone involved with the event could not have been nicer.  It was very touching!  I am glad I got to share it with Terry and Mike.

When I look back on my 15 years as a professional, I can't help but think of how lucky I have been.  I really think I have experienced everything.  Incredible excitement, thrilling victories, agonizing defeats, tears of joy, tears of sadness, and everything in between.  I have been so fortunate to travel the world playing a game that I love.  I feel like I have seen so many beautiful places and met so many wonderful people along the way.  I wish I would have been in contention this week, but I'll always look back on the week and smile.

Just like that, it's time to move forward.  This week I am hosting the Scandinavian TPC on the Ladies European Tour.  Tomorrow, we have the finals of the ANNIKA Cup, which is a competition between the 12 best junior girls in Sweden between the ages of 13-16.  They play 36 hole team matches, then we have a ceremony and dinner.  The next day they will follow me around the course inside the ropes during a practice round.  Then they have media training and will have the opportunity to critique my press conference.  It's really special watching these girls follow their dreams much the way I was able to follow mine.  Hopefully, they will experience all the joy this game has to offer, along with the memories that last a lifetime!  Sov gott (good night), and thanks for the support!

****UPDATE**** Share in Annika's memories of the Women's British Open

Comments

[Golf54deciple]

We REJOICE with you at the outpouring of love and appreciation that you're experiencing ( with Mike, Terry and family) at each stop along the way this year.

THANKS for letting up show our passion for you, FIRST, as a person, and then as one we feel we've gotten to know over the years and ESPECIALLY for almost a year on the blog!!

We're admonished to show "honor to whom hornor is due" and so we glady enter in!!

The juniors who come into your lives are receiving a TRUE treat indeed!! The life lessons learned are creating awesome individuals the world has never seen!!

Sov gott to you our friend!!

P.S. Have you noticed that the "end" results of tournaments lately are not at all how we might script, but FAR MORE richer in the impact none-the-less? Hmmmm . . . .

[Champagne Girl]

If those Junior girls have as many fantastic memories of their time with with you in the next few days as I have had following you at the British this week they will walk away very very happy!

A fantastic day today that will never be forgotten with such a glorious finish!

Thank you for the wonderful memories and to you, Mike and Terry for being so generous.

[kathy]

hello from Mt Pleasant,SC.I am keeping my fingers crossed you will have you tournament here again in 09.I know its doughtful. Watched the Open and the highlight was you finishing and your interview. Sad as it may be for all, what you have done for the Golf world is like what Julia Child did for the Culinary world. To see the people light up when they see you is an experience. I should know it happened to me. And you talking about having a family and doing things outside of golf, even its the everyday things made you light up. You deserve all the happiness God has to offer and I know that Mike has a big thing to do with it.Sounds like a great guy and I am wishing you the best for the rest of 08 and there will be a win, whether its a tournament or in your personal life.Thank you for sharing your passion! kathy

[Marg & Cherry (UK)]

Hi Annika,
Fantastic round today - well done; wonderful memories to leave us with! Glad our British weather didn't dampen the support and accolades you received today, and which you so thoroughly deserve. Coming up 18 must have been very emotional for you - it was for us too! Like the score board said - YOU WILL BE MISSED; we can hardly imagine next year's golfing calendar without you.
Good luck for the week's events in Sweden.

[Matt]

In 1995, I had just finished playing golf with our usual Sunday afternoon crew and we were in the clubhouse and watched the last few holes of the US Women's Open. After it was over, one of the guys said, "Oh, she's too cute to last long, just another fluke." The only reason I remember that is I saw Joe a couple of years ago after the Newport open and he asked if I remember him shooting his mouth off about Annika. I said I did. He said he must have been drinking a lot that day because he clearly didn't know what he was talking about. "You usually didn't", I said.

[Jim Mallow]

I have been a fan of your for many years. You are a class act and a very classy lady. You have done much for golf especially for women. You have brought golf to a new lever for women. Golf is your passion and know that you will not retire from it completely. Take care and someday I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you.

[Jim Mallow]

I have been a fan of your for many years. You are a class act and a very classy lady. You have done much for golf especially for women. You have brought golf to a new lever for women. Golf is your passion and know that you will not retire from it completely. Take care and someday I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you.

[Golf54deciple]

Matt,
Your Annika story with your friend Joe is a 'scream'!

I almost feel sorry for how many times he's has had to eat his words. Yum yum huh joe?

[Joyce]

Annika,
What an awesome game you played today. I felt such joy watching it, but sad too realizing it was probably your last at Ricoh. Thank you for a grand day in golf.

[Mary E.]

You were not the only one getting emotional on the 18th hole! What an impressive round with 18 greens in regulation. It WAS your day, even though you didn't lift the trophy. All the hard work you have put into the majors is appreciated by all your fans and we look forward to the rest of the season following your progress. Those junior players that you will be working with later in the week are in for a treat. The rest of us are all jealous!!!

[Lowell]

Much to enjoy now, the summer in Sweden. It must be special. I wrote a lyrical work years ago called "Weak Daze", something about how peculiar it can be the telling of time. Wonderful I think, it seems that people are telling time by you - Annika; wonderful round!
Virtu'.

[Elsa Ho]

Congratulations, Annika, on a great round, a great week and a great career. You played your last round of Major (FOR NOW I SINCERELY HOPE) "Annika's Way" hitting 18 greens. I am sure it was overwhelming for you walking up the 18th green with the ovation and the sign "Annika You Will Be Missed XXX". But please know that was only the tip of the iceberg. From all your fans who could not make it to Sunningdale, there were stand ovations all over the world cheering for you as you sank the putt on 18th.

[54 Believer]

All that rain? Tears of happiness and a bit of sorrow, too, for Annika the Amazing. Thanks for sharing your passion, your game and a big part of your life with all of your fans. We know this is just a few chapters of a long, winning story about a shy girl from Sweden who grew up to be one of golf's most prominent figures and a business icon named ANNIKA!

[Golf54deciple]

Annika,
Thnx bunches for having the Webmaster update this post with the pics!!

I wonder if you've UNDER estimated the impact you're having on fans of golf and that's one of the reason for some up & down scoring reflected at times during play these past couple of months.

Our getting to show our "passion"/appreciation unashamedly with loud shouts of ANNIKAAAAA is not part of your normal routine when inside the ropes. We've tended to be kinda quiet and civil like you, but NO more!!! We'll hush when you're fixin' to swing/putt, but otherwise forget it!!

YUP!!! Get use to it friend-girl, because were well within our rights as members of Annika's Angels.

Oh, one other thing, please make sure Mike gets lots of video and pictures of her/"their" adoring Swedish fans to get us through this week while we wait for the LET to release the broadcast at a later date!!

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Annika.

We now have a 54 Believer and Golf54deciple here on the Blog. What a pairing those two would make! I bet they could send the Asians running for cover!

So enjoyed watching the highlights from the British Open. Wish I was there to hand you a tissue. Although I probably would have used them all up.

I bet those Junior Golfers are having a blast - and you are too!

You are still on Tour! So - Go Annika!!!!!!

Paws are crossed.

AtC

[Mary E.]

I just read a quote from your caddie, Terri McNamara, written on the Golf Channel website. He said of you, "There is no one better" and he should know! If he ever wrote a book about your journeys together over the last decade, it would be an instant bestseller!!! Loved the photos you have posted from the British Open - thank you!

[Golf54deciple]

AtC,
I likes how you think girl!! And alas my personally fitted, 2 degrees flat, Callaway X20's are on their way!!

I have a quote laminated and forever burned in my mind by Annika after she won the 2005 Samsung in which she answered all the "talking heads", first with an 8 shot victory and then with words concerning all the hype about the "young guns" that now were coming after her. She said:

I'm HERE . . .. I can PLAY . . . and I can play AGAINST A N Y O N E

Yea baby!! Not that's the attitude of a champion. A true CHAMPION. And I've noticed in articles from this British Open that she uses that word, intensity and competitor to describe herself.

I had been struggling with "how" she was going to finish this year in light that she's said several "pieces" that contributed to her rise and longevity are "now gone"--just NOT there anymore.

She's going to play as a CHAMPION . . . . Wow!! And as a champion, she's focused, determined and fearless!!!! Hmmmm

[Golf54deciple]

Mary E,
I'm sooooo with you to have Terry Macs' insight and observations of the times with Annika brought to light in a book/video/something!!

That would be wayyyyyy cool!!!

[stefanie (Alabama)]

Annika - thanks for sharing yourself with us and thanks for inspiring our youth!!!! What a wonderful role model and inspiration you are for our young girls! As a mother of a 6 yr old little girl - I'm thankful that she and others have you to look up to - not just on the course but in life also! I wish you were coming to Alabama in September so she could watch you play in person. Good luck in the rest of the season
and God Bless you!!

[Peter M Fedorow]

Great last round at the British Open, shame about the rain but that's England for you!:-)
How about a special release, in time for Christmas 2008, of a "Miss 59" dvd featuring your legendary round of 59 coupled with some teaching tricks & tips? I'm sure it would be a best seller.
Enjoy the "step back" and see you back on tour in 2010/11 I hope.

[Golf54deciple]

AtC,
Yes I suspect 54 Believer & I might be a dynamic duo!! Wonder if Annika needs a couple of "alternates" for the Lexus Cup this fall.

Hmmmm . . . . Singapore in the fall . . . been to the Middle East but not the Far East!! Perhaps it's time we go!!

[Peg]

Annika,
On TV they showed you make the eagle on the 14th. Your walk up the 18th fairway the crowd was roaring and birdie putt dropped the roar up several decibels.
The message to you on the scoreboard on the 18th hole nice touch.
You're the BEST Player on any tour!!!
I am proud fan!
Good Luck next week in Sweden!
Scandinavian TPC hosted by Annika
Go Annika!!!!