Annika on top of world
January 23, 2006 Edition 1
Grant Winter
Sweden's Annika Sorenstam has won 79 golf tournaments across the world in a glittering career that has made her the undisputed No 1 in the women's game.
The one thing missing from her CV, though, was a World Cup victory. Until yesterday that is, when she and Liselotte Neumann took the honours in the second edition of the global event.
Sweden finished with a grand total of seven-under-par 281, after yesterday's individual medal over the par-72 Gary Player Country Club course in which Sorenstam scored 70 and Neumann 77. Catriona Matthew, who carded a day's best 69, and Janice Moodie, home in 72, steered Scotland into second place on 284 with some fine play on the treacherous bushveld course. Wales - Becky Brewerton and Becky Morgan - were third on level-par 288, with the highly fancied United States team of 19-year-old Paula Creamer and Natalie Gulbis fourth on 289 in the 20-nation event. Korea's Bo Bae Song and Meena Lee started the day in second spot on 137 but fell apart in the individual medal, Song carding a 76 and Lee a 77 as they slipped to fifth on 290.
"Playing for your country instead of yourself is different and this is a moment I will cherish forever," said Sorenstam.
"It was such an honour having Liselotte alongside me, actually being able to choose her as my partner.
"Back in 1988 she won the US Women's Open, the first Swede to capture a world Major. I was only 17 at the time and I remember picking up the newspapers back home - it was huge news - and reading all about it. She became my role model and inspiration, and after that US Open win of hers I was determined to follow in her footsteps."
Sweden started the day three clear of Korea and had increased that lead to seven at the turn. Neumann admitted to a "slight Swedish wobble . . . me, not Annika" over the next four holes when she suffered three bogeys. But if there was any doubt about the Scandinavians' ability to hold on, Sorenstam dismissed it with a brilliant eagle three at the 450m par-five 14th, where she hit a drive and a five-iron to seven feet and rolled in the putt. South Africa, meanwhile, were determined to improve on their 12th position in last year's inaugural Cup at Fancourt, and that's what happened after some fine, steady play yesterday saw them tie for seventh on 292 with Finland.
Maritz's level-par 72 was one of the better rounds of the day, and Simon - at 16 the youngest player in the field as well as being the only amateur - handled the pressure well to post 74 in spite of three or four putts that seemed headed for the hole but just refused to drop. The highlight of Maritz's round was an eagle three at the 419m par-five ninth with its island green where she hit a big drive followed by a bold seven-wood - a beauty of a shot - over the water to just 10 feet. In went the curling putt and both she and Simon had played the outward loop in level par. Ever gracious, Maritz turned the attention to Simon after the round.
"We both drove the ball well, but Ashleigh made some great putts and hit some great iron shots. She showed her class under pressure today on a tough course. One day not too far away she's going to be a star either on the European Tour or the LPGA Tour in America."
The Swedes' share of the $1.1 million (R6.6 million) prize fund is $220 000 (R1.3 million). Maritz and Simon collect $46 750 (about R280 000). But because Simon is an amateur she cannot accept her R140 000 piece of the pie and the money will go to designated charities and Women's Golf SA. Maritz's long-time coach-cum-caddie, Reeve Nield, said the crowd support had been superb. For the three days of the tournament 23 699 spectators paid to see the golf. This was a reflection of the quality of golf on display, and the organisational skills and pulling power of South African administrators, like World Cup CEO Tania Fourie and Operations Director Lesley Copeman, who have secured the right to stage the event in South Africa for three years. In 2005 it was at Fancourt, and next year it could be returning to Sun City.
