Annika Sorenstam won the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open in her championship debut by a commanding eight strokes. It looked easy that first time around, but the LPGA legend has yet to win it again.
On Thursday at historic San Diego Country Club, Sorenstam opened up with the early lead after carding a 3-under 70 that included four birdies and a bogey on the par-5 14th.
She considers this event to be a highlight of the season and places a high priority on the entire family’s experience. Husband Mike is once again on the bag in San Diego, and the rest of the family arrives Thursday evening. Sorenstam’s sister, Charlotta, shot 75 in the first round.
“Well, the family is coming, so I’m super excited,” said Sorenstam of her post-round plans. “They’re coming this evening, so I’ll obviously go to the airport and pick them up and I think we’re going to grab dinner with my sister and her husband, so we look forward to that. Have a nice little lunch here and maybe hit a few balls, want to make sure I hit the club face again, and then recharge.
“This is a very long championship, it’s a marathon, and today is just a little piece of what we have, so I want to make sure I reserve some energy because it’s going to get tougher by the weekend.”
Barb Moxness shot 71 in opening round
Barb Moxness, who at 72 is the oldest player in the field, is among those one shot back at 71. An LPGA veteran who was a rookie on tour in 1978, Moxness played collegiate golf at San Diego State and, according to her LPGA bio, once worked as an occupational therapy aide at a children’s hospital in San Diego.
Both defending champion Leta Lindley, who grew up in San Diego, and seven-time major winner Karrie Webb shot even-par 73. This marks 50-year-old Webb’s debut in the event.
Juli Inkster, who played alongside Webb and past champ Jill McGill, dropped a bomb for eagle on her first hole, the par-5 10th, but could only manage a 75.
“Juli said to me on our 17th hole, ‘Aren’t you glad we don’t do this for a living anymore?'” remarked Webb.
“Yeah, it was definitely a test out there.”
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