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Sorenstam's year gets even bigger
Two years ago at the Welch's-Circle K Classic in Tucson, Ariz., Annika Sorenstam defeated Pat Hurst in a playoff, which qualified her for the LPGA Hall of Fame membership. Because Sorenstam needed to wait another three years to be officially inducted (the tour requires 10 years of service for entry), there was no hoopla or celebration, and only a handful of players were on hand to congratulate her. But that was OK with Sorenstam, who had a bigger dream. Back then, Sorenstam called the win, the 19th of her career, "anti-climactic" because the LPGA had changed the Hall of Fame requirements just the year before and it was inevitable that she would earn the required 27 points to gain membership. Interestingly, it was Sorenstam, at the 1999 HealthSouth Inaugural, who informed me of the changes. She thought the tour had made the chase for the elusive Hall too easy and she planned to "qualify" the old-fashioned way -- with 30 wins and two major championships. "That was my goal when I joined the LPGA -- get 30 wins and get into the Hall of Fame," Sorenstam said after Tucson. "I'm technically in the Hall of Fame, but when I set goals I like to make them. Plus, then and only then will I consider myself a Hall of Famer." On Sunday in Narita, Japan, Sorenstam edged rival Se Ri Pak 1-up to capture the World Ladies Match Play Championship for her seventh victory of the season. It was also the 30th of her career. While the achievement went unnoticed by most, reaching this milestone is an outstanding feat that has eluded many great players, including Amy Alcott, Donna Caponi and Judy Rankin. With the win, Sorenstam also clinched the Player of the Year title -- something that had escaped her grasp the past two years -- sitting 66 points ahead of runner-up Pak. Karrie Webb's stranglehold on the honor hadn't sat too kindly with the sweet-swinging Swede. I'll never forget the scene after Sorenstam captured the 1999 ShopRite Classic: Rather than celebrate her victory, Sorenstam sat in the media room with her husband, David Esch, staring at the LPGA stat sheet, trying to figure out how she was going to catch Webb. While finishing fourth in 1999 and second in 2000 could hardly be classified as a slump, Sorenstam rededicated herself to the game this past winter. She started an intensive workout regime -- which includes weightlifting, bike riding and kickboxing -- that not only firmed her body but added 10-20 yards to her drives. In the past two years, she hired a new caddie, Terry McNamara, and actually learned how to relax and have fun on the course. Sure, you might say, winning tournaments will always make one happier. But Sorenstam is noticeably less demanding of herself. "I think the difference is that she has become more mature," said Esch. "I'm not saying that she was immature, but she was just too hard on herself. She never seemed to let her hair down and enjoy her accomplishments." This marks the fourth time Sorenstam has won the Player of the Year award. She joins an elite group -- Kathy Whitworth (7) and Nancy Lopez (4) -- with four or more trophies. After winning in 1995, '96 and '98, breaking through again after a three-year hiatus was especially satisfying. "This was one of my goals to start the year," said Sorenstam. "This year has been incredible for me with the records that I have set, and I have won more tournaments than I ever have done before. ... It really is a dream come true." Sorenstam most likely also will wrap up the money title this week at the Mizuno Classic. She has already earned $1,828,868 and leads Pak by $205,859. That honor, though, comes second to the one she already has clinched. Sorenstam would take the Player of the Year award even if it meant giving back every single dime. "Player of the Year is the biggest award you can get at the end of the season," Sorenstam said. "It means that you played consistently throughout the year and at the majors, and you are rewarded for how you played for the entire year." By the way, if the 31-year-old earns just $47,986 in the final two events, she also would best Webb's single-season earnings mark, set last year. But knowing Sorenstam, she probably has her eye on a bigger number: If I had to guess, I'd bet that Sorenstam is shooting for another $171,132, which would make her the first woman to earn $2 million in a season. Tom Hanson, a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus section, is a longtime caddie on the LPGA Tour. Click here to send him a question or comment.
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