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Rain halts Sorenstam`s bid for fifth Major
Delaware, June 08: Annika Sorenstam`s bid for a fifth Major was put on hold on Saturday when torrential rain forced the suspension of the third round of the LPGA Championship. Sweden`s world number one had led by two shots on eight-under overnight after a brilliant second round 64.
Delaware, June 08: Annika Sorenstam's bid for a fifth Major was put on hold on Saturday when torrential rain forced the suspension of the third round of the LPGA Championship. Sweden's world number one had led by two shots on eight-under overnight after a brilliant second round 64.
But she managed just three holes of her third round before the rains ended play at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware. And it was not the best of starts for Sorenstam as she slipped back into a share of the lead on seven under with South Korea's Hee-Won Han. Han opened with a birdie from four feet while Sorenstam three-putted the second.
"I hit my tee shot in the rough and it was so heavy that I barely made the green and needed three more," she said. "There was so much water about that it was tough on the putting."
At the par four fourth, Han was in trouble in the rough well short of the green when play was suspended. Australia's Rachel Teske was on four under and American Wendy Ward two shots further back.
Officials hope to complete the third and fourth rounds on Sunday but the weather forecast is not promising. The championship could be cut to 54 holes - as in 1996, when Britain's Laura Davies won - but that is not something Sorenstam favours.
As one of the fittest players in the women's game, she could have an advantage if she faces a 33-hole endurance test on Sunday.
"I think the physical side will play a big role tomorrow," Sorenstam said. "It's going to be tough. The course will be playing much longer and you'll have to focus on every hole.
"I hope they do everything they can to make it 72 holes. If it means we have to play Monday, I'm all for it.
"A major needs to have four rounds and even if it goes on until Tuesday then I'm all for it."
Bureau Report
But she managed just three holes of her third round before the rains ended play at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware. And it was not the best of starts for Sorenstam as she slipped back into a share of the lead on seven under with South Korea's Hee-Won Han. Han opened with a birdie from four feet while Sorenstam three-putted the second.
"I hit my tee shot in the rough and it was so heavy that I barely made the green and needed three more," she said. "There was so much water about that it was tough on the putting."
At the par four fourth, Han was in trouble in the rough well short of the green when play was suspended. Australia's Rachel Teske was on four under and American Wendy Ward two shots further back.
Officials hope to complete the third and fourth rounds on Sunday but the weather forecast is not promising. The championship could be cut to 54 holes - as in 1996, when Britain's Laura Davies won - but that is not something Sorenstam favours.
As one of the fittest players in the women's game, she could have an advantage if she faces a 33-hole endurance test on Sunday.
"I think the physical side will play a big role tomorrow," Sorenstam said. "It's going to be tough. The course will be playing much longer and you'll have to focus on every hole.
"I hope they do everything they can to make it 72 holes. If it means we have to play Monday, I'm all for it.
"A major needs to have four rounds and even if it goes on until Tuesday then I'm all for it."
Bureau Report