HILTON GRAND VACATIONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

January 22, 2022

Annika Sorenstam

Lake Nona Golf & Country Club

Quick Quotes

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Brought my coach today.

Q. Welcome Annika Sorenstam to the interview area. So great job today. You had three birdies on the back nine and you're entering Sunday with a two-point lead. How do you feel going into the final round?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, I am super excited that I'm leading by two. I wasn't really paying too much attention. I know I was kind of going head-to-head there with Derek a little bit, but I didn't know what the guys in front were doing.

No, I mean, I would certainly have taken that in the beginning of the week. Today was tough, cold, windy, rainy. It's one of those days that normally I wouldn't be outside, but because of the tournament you get a little extra fired up and you go out there and try to hit one shot at a time.

Again, I had a great pairing, Derek and Nelly. And great crowd, I mean, for them to be out there just to watch, I want to say thank you for the support and all the cheering.

Just makes it a lot more fun.

Q. So speaking of the rainy and cold weather, how much more difficult was that on the course today?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, it was -- yeah, it was long. I really didn't drive the ball very well today. It felt like I was miles away, so I used my hybrids and my 5-wood quite a bit, so I became friendly with them.

I hit some good shots there, and like on the last hole I had a 5-wood in, and I don't think ever had a 5-wood in on that hole. Had a birdie putt. You just take one shot at a time and focus on what you got and make the most out of it.

If you start thinking about how long it is and how difficult, then it gets really tiring. I try to be positive. Mike was really positive, too. He was like, Hang in there. If you can have a good attitude, right there is one or two shots.

So just do what you can and then think about the fireplace, and this evening you'll be warm and cozy.

Q. Was it last year you played with Nelly the first couple days or...

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: You know, I played with Nelly and Gaby in this tournament. I don't know which order, but both of them have played well in both of those events.

Q. Just curious, in the years' time do you see -- it's tough today with the conditions -- but do you see advances in Nelly's game?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: They're both playing excellent. They both are driving the ball beautifully. Of course being double digits under par in these conditions, I think that shows how steady they are, how much in control they are, how much feel around the greens.

I mean, the greens are fast. You stand there with quite some breaks and they're just rolling it up there, so it's impressive, it's inspiring, it's fun.

It's just good to see the LPGA in such good shape.