The past winners of the Amundi Evian Championship, which begins on Thursday in France, include some of the game’s brightest stars, such as Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam, who prevailed in 2000 and 2002.
Among women golfers, only Patty Berg, Mickey Wright and Louise Suggs captured more majors than Sorenstam, who won 10. Sorenstam, with 72 victories overall, is also known for her 2003 appearance in the Colonial, a men’s tournament — she missed the cut — and being the lone woman to record a round under 60. In 2001, she shot a 59 at an event in Arizona.
Sorenstam, 54, reflected recently on her career. The following conversation has been edited and condensed.
The Evian wasn’t a major when you won, but did you approach it as one?
For us Europeans, it was prestigious. It had such a different atmosphere compared to all the other tournaments in Europe, one you wanted to win.
What do you recall about the victory at the Evian over Karrie Webb in 2000?
My biggest rival was Karrie, so I could not have asked for a better showdown at the premier event in Europe, to have a chance to beat Karrie at her best. The 18th hole is a fun finishing hole — challenging, but it can be super rewarding. No laying up. You got to go for it. I put the pedal to the metal. I felt good all weekend.
What kind of player will it take to win this week?
It’s not a course for bombers. I think it’s more for the sneaky long that hit it pretty straight. It’s around the greens and knowing elevation. There are not a lot of flat holes out there, a lot of downhill, a lot of uphill, a lot of slopey lies. I always felt that you hit greens in regulation, you’ll do well there.
What do you miss about being a player?
I’m super competitive. I really loved being in the hunt on Sunday and having a chance to win. I’m excited about the different initiatives I do and the business I’m involved in. But it’s not the same.
What don’t you miss?
I don’t miss all the grinding and all the travel all the time. I still travel, but not as much.
Do you feel that you got everything you could out of your career?
I got a lot more than I dreamed about, but living in the moment, I felt like I let a few slip.
Did you savor your success enough or were you too directed toward the next goal?
I was very much just keep going. I was on a bullet train that was going extremely fast. Hardly any stops. Just go, go, go. When I mentor the young girls today, I actually talk about enjoying the journey a little more if you can.
Looking back to Colonial, it’s been two years since a woman played in a PGA Tour event. Is it time for another to try?
I don’t know. I do know that we have a very competitive tour.
How do you think the way you carried yourself at Colonial affected how people perceived you?
I think people got a little bit more of a look into what I’m all about, being a competitor. I’ve always been shy, but I think people saw someone who wanted to push herself. They probably saw more of the human side. A lot of people always think of me as the stoic Swede behind the glasses, a quiet assassin.
Anything about the L.P.G.A. Tour you’d want to change?
No. I just want them to be seen and heard more, that’s all. It’s such a hidden gem. How do you get people to become a fan? Because then they realize the players are really approachable and really athletic. It amazes a lot of people, because they haven’t been exposed to it. These young women are spectacular individuals in a lot of ways.
Any goals for the future outside of golf?
I love my role as a mom and my role as a wife. I always want to be available and approachable and supportive and loving to my kids. That to me is more than anything. I’ve had the Annika time; I’ve had my career. I’ve had all that.
The post Annika Sorenstam Loved Being in the Hunt appeared first on New York Times.
