If there's one person in the world who can understand Lorena Ochoa's recent decision to walk away from professional golf at the peak of her career in order to start a family, it's Annika Sorenstam. She left competitive golf in 2008 in order to focus on her business and personal life.
Sorenstam, who was at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro on Monday for the opening of her Annika Boutique at the resort’s Ritz-Carlton Lodge, admitted the timing of Ochoa’s decision caught her by surprise.
“But I knew she wanted to focus on starting a family,” Sorenstam said. “I certainly understand where she’s coming from.”
Sorenstam , 39, won 72 LPGA events and 10 major championships during her playing days and retired as the No. 1 player in the world. Her business ventures today include designing courses, operating a golf academy, working with Cutter & Buck to design a clothing line and marketing a limited wine label. She and husband Mike McGee had their first child in 2009, a daughter named Ava.
The Annika Boutique is an upscale specialty shop that features clothing, golf products and a Swedish line of baby clothing. More such stores are being planned.
“When I was playing, I was always preparing for the next shot ahead,” Sorenstam said. “It’s the same thing now. I’ve just taken my competitive drive into other areas.”
Ochoa’s departure from the LPGA leaves a big hole in the women’s professional game, but don’t expect to see Sorenstam try to fill it.
“I’m very happy with my decisions,” she said. “I haven’t looked back once.”
PGA Tour
Phil Mickelson could pass Tiger Woods as the No. 1 player in the world if he wins this weekend's Players Championship. Mickelson would become the 13th player to reach the top of the rankings if he wins and Woods finishes outside the top five. In his last two starts Mickelson has won the Masters and finished second at the Quail Hollow championship. Woods has been ranked No. 1 for 598 total weeks. During that time, only David Duval (15 weeks) and Vijay Singh (32 weeks) have supplanted Woods.
“The whole idea to be No. 1 and to continue being No. 1, you have to win golf tournaments," Woods said. "And I haven't done that in a while. I haven't played in a while.”
Mickelson also downplayed the possibility. "For me to accomplish that, I can't focus on that,” he said. “I've got to go out and get ready to play [TPC Sawgrass] because it's not an easy challenge. And for me to have a chance to achieve No. 1, I've got to win. So I've got a lot of work ahead."
Nationwide Tour
There were nine former Bulldogs entered in the Stadion Athens Classic at UGA last weekend and seven made the cut. Brian Harman, who is playing the mini-tours, tied for 18th. Former NCAA player of the year Chris Kirk tied for 35th. The two current members of the UGA team played well: Harris English tied for 27th and Russell Henley closed with a 67 and tied for 35th.
Etc.
Former Georgia State golfer Derek Oakey was second in the eGolf Professional Tour's River Hill Classic in Lake Wylie, S.C. Jon Kennedy of Hawkinsville and David Robinson of Sandersville tied for fourth. ... Former Clayton State golfer Will Wilcox won the NGA Hooters Tour's Savannah Lakes Village Classic, his first professional victory. Wilcox moved into first place on the tour's money list with earnings of $54,379.
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