U.S SENIOR WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

July 31, 2021

Annika Sorenstam

Brooklawn Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Annika Sorenstam, even par 72. Describe your day today.

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, today was not as sharp as the previous two days. You know, probably felt a little bit out there, and I missed some of my drives today so I was -- I ended up in some positions I hadn't been in before.

I prefer the fairway. It's a lot easier from there. I'm going to just sharpen up my game tomorrow. I tried, I scrambled, I hung in there, and just really all I had today unfortunately.

But it's a new day tomorrow and fresh start, and we go from there.

Q. To not have your best game, still be in this position, is there something rewarding to take out of this after the 13-year gap?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, I'm trying to find everything positive. I have a lot of positive things going around. My family is here, being here at the Open, playing in the last group. I love the golf course. I feel the love from the fans. Just having a good round, I mean, it really doesn't get much better.

If somebody would've said you're playing in the last group on Sunday I would say I'll take it. Here I am so and not going to analyze too much. But I got to do something, a little more than what I did today to be able to walk up that fairway and not feel so stressed.

Q. How do weekend nerves compare now to weekend nerves 13 years ago?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, I mean, the nerves are just -- I used to know what I would be feeling, what to do. Now I'm having all kinds of feelings, up and down, and it just -- you know, I just don't really know what's coming.

I really -- wasn't really so much nerves in the end. I think I was more disappointed, like why am the not doing -- I feel it. I know what to do it's not happening. It's more like, okay, what do I do?

Before I could feel it and I could change it. Now it's more kind of it is what it is. A little bit surprised sometimes what comes out.

But just got to hang in there. This is a tricky golf course, especially around the greens. You have to find the feel. I felt the first few holes I totally lost the feel. Mike kept saying, Hit it. I said, I'm trying. It's not lack of trying. It's just not rolling where I want it.

Again, just trying to enjoy what I'm here for, the atmosphere and the support that I really feel. So I'm taking a lot of positive out of it, too.

Q. Is it almost better to have the focus with the family and everything else and not just solely on the lead for tomorrow? Is having a distraction good or not?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I think so. Yeah, I mean, it's hard to just kind of focus on what you got to do, and you look at the leaderboard and you're up there and you feel the pressure. I think just go out there, play your own game.

In the past I would say hit one shot at time and it used to work. So I got to go back to those basics and just hit one shot at a time. That's the only thing I can do.

I got to forget about bad shots and move on and count them in the end; do my best when I stand over there and believe in yourself. I think that's the thing. It's easy to say you been there, done that, but it's been a while and I'm a little different person now.

It's just things matter a little differently, so have to handle where you are today and do the best.

Q. Do you feel the pressure?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I mea, I would love to do well, of course. That is why I came here. I feel like I'm as prepared as I can be.

It's just you got to let it happen. Nobody is going to give it to you. You got to go out there and earn it. Every shot you got to earn it, make the putts, hit the fairway, the green, and that's what it takes to score out here.

Q. Just curious how the Lake Nona experience earlier this year on the LPGA helped prepare you for this week?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, you know, I planned everything around this event, so I feel like every tournament I played, whether it was Diamond Resorts, LPGA, playing in Europe, and then few weeks ago when I played with -- in the Lake Tahoe, American Century, I think all of those things is playing a role. It really does.

Tomorrow I'm gain put it all in the pot and just take that and use it as much as I can.