Will Annika retire on top?
Annika Sorenstam is playing with confidence, grace, and determination. She looks like the Annika we know and love from before her injuries. Her dominant win last week in Virginia keeps her solidly in second place to Lorena Ochoa and the momentum is on her side. More on that in my latest Golf For Women post on Swing Thoughts.
Now there is a rumor that Annika will retire at the end of this year, and she’s supposedly going to make a statement today. We all know she is marrying Mike McGee and wants to start a family. While most of the working world has to work more to support a family, she has the luxury and probably the necessity to do the opposite. She’ll still have her business to run but to make time for a family, something’s got to give. Since she has already accomplished so much in professional golf, it makes sense that playing regularly on tour would be the thing to drop. I mean, she’s not going to get rid of that cat. *Side note: Vito actually likes cats. I told you he had snags.*
Annika has a frequent Q&A session on her own blog, and the big question this week is whether the retirement rumor is true. Maybe she will answer it in her statement today or on her blog. Either way, inquiring minds want to know. Pop in and pose a question to Annika - she’d probably be grateful for something other than this topic. I happened to notice In her post about winning the Michelob Ultra, she mentioned that she was going to celebrate by actually drinking one. Now that sounds like dutiful sponsor representation rather than an actual plan, and maybe she even cracked one open and posed for a photo. Surely that wasn’t her real beverage of choice for celebration, and just as surely, that was my own burning question on her blog. Will she answer?
Of course the retirement issue is of greater importance. Whether she will or won’t, I’d love to see her back in the #1 position before she goes. This year would be just fine with me. The LPGA has a lot of great competition, with dominant Lorena Ochoa leading the pack, so Annika’s got her work cut out for her. I think we’re going to see a lot more stellar play out of Annika this year, and maybe with retirement beckoning at season’s end, her focus and determination will be that much stronger.
Update: It’s official. Annika made the announcement today, citing “following her dreams” of business and family as her reasons for stepping away from competitive golf. She said “I have given it all and it’s been fun.” You can watch the press conference at the link above. She also talks about the state of women’s golf and even gives a nod to Brett Favre for their similarities in reasons to retire (they love the competition, they’re just “tired of the daily grind”). It’s an interesting speech and she also discusses her plans to stay involved in the game of golf and inspire future golfers. As for the next seven months, her goal is to win many tournaments, including majors. That’s what I’m talking about. That’s what I want to see.
Thank you, Annika, for all the years you’ve given us and everything you have already done for golf.
Published by golfchick on May 13th, 2008 tagged Annika Sorenstam, Golf For Women, Lorena Ochoa, News, Pro Golf And Golfer Commentary, Swing Thoughts Blog, Vito | Comment now »
Way to go, Sergio!
I guess I didn’t ever witness much of Sergio Garcia’s bad behavior, or if I did, I didn’t pay it much mind. I did witness him choke over the years and struggle with his putting and actually wanted to see him overcome that and win. Yes, I admit I was rooting for Sergio Garcia this weekend that The Players Championship.
Of course, Paul Goydos was fun and engaging and would have been a terrific Cinderella story, so I was rooting for him, too. When it came to the playoff I truly would have been happy to see either man get the victory.
As much as it hurt to see Goydos’ tee shot find the water on the first playoff hole, it was refreshing to see his graceful reaction. And inspiring to see Sergio’s shot get so close to the hole. I was rooting for Paul to pull off a miracle and hole out his third shot, figuring there was a pretty good chance Sergio would miss his 4-footer. Well, maybe he would have made it if that pressure would have been on him, but when Goydos missed his putt for bogey, Sergio could comfortably two-putt for the win. Sure he probably wanted to make the birdie, but he made sure not to disappoint by disappointing and making a ho-hum par for the championship. Even after that, he kissed his putter if only to remind himself and us that his putting is indeed coming around regardless of that miss.
As Goydos remarked in his comments after taking second place, Garcia played better than anyone else. The tournament statistics agree - Sergio deserved and earned this win. I’m happy to see him maturing and hope this victory leads to more consistent competition for the rest of golf’s top players.
Published by golfchick on May 12th, 2008 tagged Pro Golf And Golfer Commentary | Comment now »
Is Johnny Miller mentally disabled?
I get downright irritated when I watch a golf event that Johnny Miller announces. It seems like on every hole, he says something (often many things) so stupid, self-aggrandizing or just plain annoying that I want to mute the telecast and watch it to music. But if he’s actually mentally disabled, I’d feel bad criticizing him as his “performance” would be admirable. Even then, I’d suspect the rest of the mentally challenged community would be embarrassed to have him as a representative at times.
So, is Johnny Miller a marginal disabled announcer or a terrible non-disabled one?
Why do the networks keep employing him and letting him open his mouth for all to hear?
Published by golfchick on May 12th, 2008 tagged Pro Golf And Golfer Commentary, Rants And Random Ramblings | 6 Comments »
Golfing Family Wanted for Reality TV show
The casting call has gone out for the ABC show Wife Swap and this time they’re looking for a golf family.
Here is how the casting producer describes the show:
“The premise of Wife Swap is to take two different families and have the moms switch places to experience how another family lives. Half of the week, mom lives the life of the family she is staying with. Then she introduces a “rule change” where she implements rules and activities that are important to her family. It’s a positive experience for people to not only learn but teach about other families and other ways of life.”
I’m guessing a “rule change” could involve a change in frequency of golf related activities, but what do I know? I’m not a wife. If the wife is the bigger golfer, she could implement a “must golf on Saturday” rule. If she’s a “golf widow” it could go the other way.
To compensate you for filming an episode of the show, your family will receive $20,000 and quite possibly a life changing experience. To qualify, a family must consist of two parents and at least one child between 7 and 17 and reside in the continental U.S. There may be more children of varying ages but at least one must fit in that range.
The Wife Swap website doesn’t mention the golf angle in the application information but if you’re interested, please contact me at kristen (at) thegolfchick (dot) com and I will send along a referral for you.
And if you’d like to check out the show first, it’s on tonight - Wednesday - at 8 PM (7 central) on ABC.
Published by golfchick on May 7th, 2008 tagged Rants And Random Ramblings | 1 Comment »
The Kids are Alright
If Lorena falls into the Tiger Woods category, she certainly didn’t let it show this week while Paula Creamer stomped her down at the SemGroup Championship. The 21-year old “pink panther” held off the would-be-record-breaking five-time LPGA winner from claiming that glory at Cedar Ridge Country Club. I doubt anyone who is a serious follower of the LPGA world discounted Paula Creamer from being a contender, but lately Lorena Ochoa has been Tiger-like in her dominance. If Annika can’t stop her, maybe Paula can. She did this week at least.
Meanwhile, another youngster gave the field a Tiger bashing (in Tiger’s knee procedure absence) with a 5 stroke win at the Wachovia Championship. He’s 22 years old, many eyes have been on him, and he finally has his first PGA win - with serious authority. His name is Anthony Kim, and you better believe he’s not a fluke winner. Put this kid on your fantasy team if you have one. Adam Scott may be hotter, but I think this kid’s a more threatening competitor when it comes to golf. Look out, men!
