View From Outside The Ropes

Growing up in Sweden, I always dreamed of one day hoisting the U.S. Women's Open trophy. I would imagine myself sinking a putt on the final hole to win the championship, and I practiced that winning putt many times by myself on the putting green at Bro Balsta Golf Club.

Never could I have imagined I'd cradle that trophy so soon. Not just once, but twice. In my first Open appearance in 1995 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, you could say that I shocked everyone – including myself – by making my first LPGA Tour victory a major. I remember thinking, 'Where do I go from here?  This is our biggest championship!  Then in 1996 at Pine Needles I repeated as champion. I was so in “the zone” that I hardly remember a thing there. I was just on automatic. Then a funny thing happened on the way to my third U.S. Open title: It took FOREVER. Ten years, to be exact.

I guess due to my early success, I thought I had the game and confidence to win my favorite championship many times, so I put a lot of pressure on myself to get my third.  As I became a better player, my expectations grew even more.  I had the chance to win several times, but it just didn't happen. I was very close two or three times – a shot here and a shot there – but I just didn’t get it done.  I guess when you want something too badly, it becomes that much more difficult to attain. 

What does it take to win a U.S. Open? Aside from the obvious ball striking and handling very quick greens, it takes a lot of patience, consistency, and the ability to take it one shot at a time. I started thinking about the trophy on Thursday, which was a mistake. I also thought I had to play perfectly, because the conditions were so tough and every shot had to be just right. I pushed a little harder, forced some shots and ran out of patience, instead of just letting it happen.

When I finally did win again in 2006 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island, it was probably because I put less pressure on myself.  There was my neck injury, which I didn't know was so serious at the time but nearly forced me to withdraw. Luckily, the fog delays gave me time to recover, get therapy, and practice with my coach Henri Reis.  It was a very difficult week, and a really tough golf course, so I didn't push myself as hard.  Eventually things started to come together and the next thing I knew, I was in contention.  That is when my natural instincts took over and I was able to close the deal by being patient.  

I think preparation will be a big key this week.  Very few of the players in the field have probably ever played Saucon Valley, but that doesn't mean they should prepare any differently than they would for any other venue or tournament. Because it's the U.S. Open, it's easy to get carried away and do things 10 times over. At most LPGA tournaments, if you show up on Monday you won't see very many players out there grinding. But a Monday at the U.S. Women's Open? It's packed. You can hardly get a practice round time. Granted, for some qualifiers, they want to make the most of their big week. I understand that, but the regular LPGA players, I would prepare as if it were any other tournament.

There have been a few occasions where I did show up early -- sometimes a full week in advance-- to check out a course in preparation for a major. And every time I did so, I didn't play very well. I remember going over to Scotland a week earlier than normal in 2002 to get a look at Turnberry and get accustomed to the time difference and everything. The Monday before the Women's British Open, I shot something like seven under at Turnberry. Then I came out and missed the cut. Explain that!

On the other hand, there have been tournaments I played in the U.S. where I arrived late due to sponsor commitments and didn’t even get in a full practice round.  I showed up, my caddie Terry [McNamara] told me where to hit it, and I won.  Again, maybe my expectations were lower and I didn't try as hard, but I learned from those moments to not overdo it. 

Therefore, if I had any advice for the girls this week at Saucon Valley, it would be to lower their expectations some, stay patient, and take it one shot at a time. You've got to stick to your routines and stay in the present. It sounds like a cliché, but if you start looking ahead you're only asking for trouble.

One player to keep an eye on this week is a fellow Swede, Anna Nordqvist, winner of the McDonald's LPGA Championship last month. I first met Anna in 2004 when she won a scholarship that the Swedish Golf Federation and I created called the Annika Sorenstam Scholarship. As part of my Foundation, each year, the Federation and I pick the most promising girl and boy from Sweden, and bring them here to the States for one week to experience an LPGA event, practice with me, and also visit a few colleges. Anna came to the Phoenix tournament and, funnily enough, she wound up choosing Arizona State. (I went to their in-state rival, the University of Arizona.) Oh well.

What's most impressive about Anna is that she won her first major after only playing in a handful of LPGA events. I had the benefit of playing a lot more tournaments before I won the U.S. Open in '95. I wasn't a very long hitter when I first came out on Tour and neither is Anna, but she's very solid. She has good fundamentals, and she's a grinder. That's what I like about her. She's also not afraid to ask questions. She's got a good head on her shoulders and it shows in her game. It's that consistency that's going to take her a long way.

-Annika

This column also appears on The Golf Channel.com

Comments

[Eileen F.]

GEEZ!!! Do your talents ever end? I suppose we can now put golf columnist on your CV. Your insights will be very helpful for me to keep in mind as I watch the ladies tackle what I consider probably the toughtest challenge this year. Hope you, Mike and the little one are doing well and enjoy your stay in Tahoe. Take good care and feel free to write another "column" :-)

[Golf54deciple]

I'm with you Eileen...

Annika,
thnx for the reminder that I DON'T have to be "perfect" to play golf.

I wonder if that's why I tend to loose patience with myself much too often....

Anyway, this Saturday the girls at 1st Tee(Golfing with the Girls) will be picking an LPGA Pro to cheer for as we watch together...I'll toss my hat in for Anna.

Really appreciate your "special" hands-on insights on what it's like to compete at the highest level.

Time to re-read what you've said and dwell on pictures you've created

[Curt Jester]

I think your pick on the person to watch for Anna Nordqvist is right on. I think she has that boldness on the greens that not only has winning attitude, but it bodes well for winning a U.S. Womens Open. I saw Andy North drop a ball on one of their huge greens at Saucon Valley, PA., and they are going to make for some tears for a few, they are that tough.

So, besides, that, what is your outside the ropes opinion on the LPGA tour and the players voicing angst and disapproval for the way the tour is heading as far as the amount of tournaments that are getting less and less?

CJ

[Lowell]

Major golf tournaments are certainly "dark horse" opportunites. There as remarked; is really no way, not to confront the "rise to the occasion" of the moment. As golf tournaments are all still tournaments of the week, however moved a participant may be, might be some favorable advantage. That said, it makes it that much harder to repeat, and a test again of mettle. Trust that, that difference makes it still that much more satisfying. All the best.