THE ANNIKA DRIVEN BY GAINBRIDGE AT PELICAN

November 13, 2024

Annika Sorenstam

Pelican Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Annika Sorenstam. Fun day, fun nine holes. What was it like to be out there with Caitlin and watch what she had to offer as far as golf goes?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, no, it's great that's she's here. Very thankful to her to take the time to be part of our event. She's just a really nice person, down to earth. She's an athlete, you can tell. If she didn't hit it well she's a little bit upset because she knows she can do it. She just doesn't play a lot.

Has some power off the tee. It's just wonderful of the fans come out here and support her. It's just great for the Tour.

Q. What did you see out of Caitlin's game that you were like, okay, girl's got some game?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well, she just needs to play. These greens are super tight and the grass here is -- it is a difficult thing to do.

Driving is her thing at the moment, but I think she (Wind interference.) she would be a great player for sure.

Q. From one GOAT to the other, had a chip-in back there on 17. How much fun did you have? I know you know you don't play as much as you would like to.

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, no, I don't. It was fun. This week is more about being the host and being around and saying hello and taking photos, so it's hard to just focus on your game as well.

I had a few highlights and a few lowlights, but chip-in is always fun to contribute and I did something else there. Yeah, no, it's just fun.

That's what I love about this sport. It brings people together, whether you're a golfer, business person, with Dan Towriss and then you got Caitlin Clark. Brings us together and we just have a good time.

Q. Did you give her any tips, swing advice, chipping advice, putting advice?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: No. It was more just tempo. She hits it a little quick. She played with Nelly on the front and Nelly is a about power, so of course when you play with someone like that you want to swing harder and faster.

Now when it's windy, I'm like, just got to calm down, find the tempo, and try to make sure that club face is more square to the target.

I think I that's more important. Again, for her, there is a lot going on. It's not just out there focusing on my game. She's trying to be the face of the day.

Q. Have you seen a Wednesday like this?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: On the LPGA? No. I think it's awesome. Yeah, I love all the young girls with the signs. Nothing we would really see on a normal Wednesday.

It's just great how it brings attention to the tournament.

Q. She smiled an awful lot out there. Seemed like when she hit a bad shot she took it in stride. How impressed were you with her attitude?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, she's super mature for 22. I'm going like, wow, she's 22; I'm 32 years older. Yeah, she's an older woman in a younger body if you know what I mean. In a good way. She handles herself really well and good with people, says the right things.

Still, she's still young and you see the youth in her, so it's really kind of a cool combination. She's a great representative of basketball and also (Wind interference.)

Q. What do you think of her athleticism in general out there with her golf swing?

ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Yeah, you can tell. I mean, people that just -- she's not -- she says, I normally don't get nervous. She was a little bit, but I think other people would've been extremely nervous. She's used to performing and learning how to how to control and get into the zone when you need to. So you can tell.

She's tall and so she has dynamics. She doesn't have the time.