The competitive landscape of the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe will dramatically alter in 2014 with the addition of LPGA great Annika Sorenstam.
The legendary golf superstar, winner of 89 international tournaments and over $22 million, is among the most successful players in history. A part-time resident of Lake Tahoe and mother of two, Sorenstam will play on even terms with pro athletes in the nationally televised, 54-hole, $600,000 competition at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
Sorenstam, 43, is 11 years removed from her memorable international foray onto the men's PGA Tour at the 2003 Colonial Open in Fort Worth, Texas. Under the media spotlight, she went toe to toe with the best players in the world, missing the cut by three strokes and earning global respect for taking the unprecedented challenge. Sorenstam retired in 2008 and her last tournament came in that season's year-end ADT Championship.
Tournament scoring is based on a modified Stableford format based on a point system by hole.
"Once you get inside the ropes, I am competitive and I'm sure that's not going to go away," Sorenstam said about competing against the men once again. "I like the (Stableford) format. I'm playing from the same tees (as the men). Nowadays, I don't play stroke play, necessarily. So this will be a little different and I'm looking forward to it."
In her only foray at Edgewood Tahoe in 2004, Sorenstam joined Michael Jordan, Donald Trump and Ahmad Rashad on the back nine during a practice round. She shot a 3-under 33 from the Blue (men's) tees on a course she had never played.
Sorenstam started her golf career in 1995 and became the 13th player to capture the U.S. Women's Open as her first American victory. She spent 15 years on the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour, winning with remarkable consistency and pocketing 10 major championships.
[[In-content Ad]]
