Final Round of a Major.....

The final day of the US Open is here and the ladies are teeing off. Sundays are the days that majors are won and lost…I have been in both situations and I love the adrenalin that pumps and the pressure that builds coming down the stretch. That’s what makes the Majors so special and so hard to win !

I think we have an exciting leader board this year with a mix of international players, experienced major winners and rookies within striking distance.

I will be tuning in to the coverage this afternoon and if you have any thoughts for me, please log on to my blog and post a question and I will try to answer them live.

Comments

[Marg & Cherry (UK)]

Hi Annika - glad you are keeping in touch with the US Open. We are watching the live scoring while we wait for the live TV coverage to start in an hours time here in the UK.
It really isn't the same for us without having you in the mix but we see Cristie Kerr as showing the right credentials this week - playing it one hole at a time with excellent course management - but she might not win given how slim her lead is. Should be a nail biting finish. Take care - and our very best wishes to you.

[Annika the Cat]

Hi Annika,

Is it me – or is this one of the toughest Open courses the girls have played in quite a while?

In watching players’ reactions this week – many seem to have a permanent frown…. Pia & Lynn just had an article this past week in the WS Journal. Pia said that you had an exceptional knack for “managing your mind.” Has this always been part of your character or was it something that you developed and worked on as time went by?

Have you ever played Saucon Valley? And if not - is there a little part of you that would like to take it on?

TY and Go Annika!!!!!

AtC

[Annika]

ATC,

I have not played Saucon Valley. It looks great on TV...I spoke to my caddie Terry and he said that I would love it ! Open championships have the history of being extremely tough, long and challenging. The mental part plays a big role in these conditions. That's one reason I like it so much.

[Annika]

Thanks Marg & Cherry for the note.

[Annika the Cat]

OK Mama,

I bet you tee it up there one day. I'll carry the little one.

Enjoy the coverage - we are in for a treat!

AtC

[Annika]

You got it !

[Mark]

Hi, Annika. Does the USGA modify its setup for the women compared to the men for their Open?

[Greg]

Annika,

What do you think of the Jean Reynolds' play this week? What advice would you give her as she heads toward the LPGA tour?

--Greg

[Kristin]

Hey Annika -
Greetings from NH! Miss watching you play...but hope you and baby to be are doing well!
What to you make of Alexis Thompson, been reading a bit about her this weekend...is she the next generation's big star?

[Michelle Smith]

Hello Annika from Central Florida. My hubby and I loved watching you play golf and are now enjoying watching you on your blog and on twitter. We really miss watching you play, but are very glad that you and your husband are expecting. You look so cute with that little belly.

Who do you think will pull off the Open this year?

[Annika]

Mark - of course the men's course is longer. However,the USGA sets up the courses tougher than regular events on both the men and women's tour.

[Annika]

Greg - this is the first time that I see Jean play. She is having a great week. I am impressed with her consistency and patience. If she continues like this, she will do well on the LPGA.

[Annika]

Alexis is a talented young player. She has won many events already. Fun to see the energy and excitement. Bright future ahead.

[Rand]

Annika -

I am curious to know your thoughts on setup for the the 10th hole at Saucon Valley in the 3rd and 4th rounds. And I'll pose a hypothetical question: if you came to the 10th tee trailing by one in the final round, would you make a play for the green? What if you were ahead by one?

[Annika]

Thanks for your comment Michelle.It's hard to pick a winner...any player within 5 on the back nine can do it.

[Annika]

Randy - I like the change they did to # 10. It makes it excitement and tests a players patience. If I was close to the lead I would probably play conservative, but if I was chasing the leader I would play more aggressive.

[Jenna Moser]

It's turning into a gut-wrenching final day, as usual! Good to see Paula rebound after yesterday. I was hoping Suzann would make a run. Have you seen any up & coming Swedes you think will make an impact in the near future?

[Mark]

Annika, did you typically play the week before the majors?

[Marcia]

Hi Annika -

Did you ever find the commentary helpful to your game when you viewed recorded telecasts of your tournament play? Would you enjoy commentating in the future?

[Annika]

Yes - I tried to play the week before. It's important to be ready, but still fresh.

[jay]

Seriously, just how much do you miss this level of play? While I enjoy watching the gifted players, miss you out there!

[Annika]

Jena, - how about Anna Nordqvist? (won this year's LPGA championship)

[Golf54deciple]

Annika,
What is your mindset when approaching the very first tee shot, especially on a final day of a tournament?

I step back and look at myself with one big ? and a total inability at this point to hit the first shot in bounds!!

[Jenna Moser]

Totally off-subject, but when do you anticipate the Annika Academy store to be up and running on the website? I saw your staff at the Open last year with the Annika hats, and I would love to buy one!

[Annika]

Jay - I really don't miss the competition. I am content that I left when my heart wasn't there any more.

[Annika]

G54D, you have to trust yourself. One shot at a time and think positive thoughts !Visualize good shots.

[jay]

Simply a perfect response! Thanks

[Jenna Moser]

We definitely miss you competing, but it's refreshing to know you are content with your decision and you're finally getting a chance to experience other parts of life.

It's so exciting that you and Mike are having a baby girl! Is there anything you are looking forward to most in motherhood?

[Annika]

Mike and I are looking forward to the new chapter in our lives. We are up for some major changes...

[Jenna Moser]

Good luck with everything in the future! Thanks for answering my questions :-)

[Joni Granwehr]

Hi, Annika,
What is making this course so tough, the pin location, the weather, something else? Also, what is the highest score you shot and still won a tournament with?
Hope you are feeling well!
Joni

[Golf54deciple]

Thank You very much for the reply.

Making several commitment cards and will laminate and attach to my bag, and nearby on the laptop and iPhone, etc just as reminder.

Started it out by writing,

ANNIKA says to me,

[Pam]

How much will Cristie Kerr's experience help — or perhaps get in the way since she realizes what's at stake — coming down the stretch?

[Annika]

Clutch par putt from Candie on hole 16 !

[Annika]

Joni - there are several factors why the course is tough.
1) the length. Puts a premium on the longer clubs. It's harder to stop and control the ball on the approach shots.
2) Greens are undulated and I see some tough pin placements today.
3) Rough, it's thick and 'grabby'
4) the pressure of playing in a major.

[Annika]

Experience helps. Cristie knows what to do, but she is thinking a little bit to far ahead instead of playing in the moment. Her putting has been exceptional this week.

[Pam]

How do you keep from gripping the club to death because of the pressure of these closing holes? (Yes, that would be me!)

[Annika the Cat]

If you are still at the summer cottage - I hope you have two things - you are watching this in high def - spectacular - and your sewer line is fixed.

[Annika]

You need to stay relaxed. Keep a good tempo on your breathing and make sure you have good feel. Tension in your hands and forearms eliminates the usage of the shoulders. Good putters have a smooth stroke for better and consistent roll.

[EB]

Annika, it appears Cristie is having trouble hitting the ball. Her shots are going either way left or way right.

[Eileen]

Annika:
When your "in the hunt" do you find it distracting to watch the leader board or do you try and keep fosused on one hole at a time and play your own game? How do you prevent yourself from thinking too far ahead, especially if, like Christie Kerr, your trailing by only 1?

Thanks for taking the time to answer all these questions...it is VERY much appreciated!!

[Annika]

The TV is high def, but the sewer is not fixed. We have to shower at the golf club !!

[Annika]

Criste's tempo is not as smooth from the tee as previous rounds. She is guiding her shots. However, her shots from the rough have been very good the last few holes.

[Sammye]

How do shake off a bad shot like the putt Christie just hit?

[Annika]

I always looked at the lead board. It helped me to see what I had to do. You have to hit one shot at the time and stay in the moment. Everybody will make mistakes, so you have to keep going and dissociate bad shots or putts.

[Pam]

Annika, what do you remember about the last couple of holes on Sunday at the Broadmoor when you were chasing your first Open title? I imagine you can empathize with these women right now!

I was at the Broadmoor that week. It was amazing!

[Annika]

Kerr has two more holes to go now. She needs to refocus and forget about the previous 16 holes.

[Annika]

I was very nervous a the Broadmoor. That was my first experience on the big stage. I played far from perfect, but manage to save my round.

[Erin]

Hi Annika,

We miss you playing! My question is about focus...how important is the "mental/emotional" aspect of playing (particularly in a major)? Say, out of 100...is it more than 50% of winning?

Thanks!

[Cath M]

Off-subject again but I've got to ask a culinary expert!

I'm off soon to spend the week at the Evian Masters. Any restaurants you recommend :)