Following
her career Grand Slam-completing victory at the Weetabix Women's
British Open Sunday, Annika Sorenstam took question from the media.
Sorenstam overcame Se Ri Pak on the 72nd hole for her win.
NEAL REID: This
is Annika's fourth victory of the season, 46th overall. She becomes
the sixth player in LPGA history to achieve the career Grand Slam,
joining Juli Inkster, Karrie Webb, Pat Bradley, Louise Suggs and
Mickey Wright, and it was her 15th come-from-behind victory of her
career.
I see by the tears
on 18 that this is something you wanted pretty badly.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: That's
true. It hasn't actually sunk in yet, I must say, for many reasons,
because it was such hard work out there. I was looking at the leaderboard
all day, and it seemed like everybody was right there and it seemed
like everybody wanted to win. It's a tough golf course, and I knew
that I couldn't afford to make a mistake. There's so many good players
out there, experienced players, players that were hungry to win a
major.
I felt the pressure,
but then on the other hand, I felt this is what it's all about, to
play in a major championship where you have to perform, and it was
a great feeling. Now I'm here, sitting here with a trophy, this is
what I wanted for so long. And so obviously I feel relieved at the
same time as being very happy.
NEAL REID: The
two majors you've won this year to complete the career Grand Slam,
you really, really had to earn them. McDonald's, you had to be great
in a playoff and today you had to hold off Se Ri. Does that make
it even more fulfilling?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: In
a way, yes. Because I looked at the leaderboard, and like I said,
those players that are up there, they are all great players, so I
knew that I could not make a mistake.
Same thing at
McDonald's. It was Grace Park that was playing excellent and I really
to work hard and play well. When you win, I think you feel like that
you won it in a sense and there's no better feeling, really.
Q.: It
looked like you were relaxed and having a good time.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Oh,
I had a great time, but I'm still nervous and still feel the pressure.
Like I said, this is what it's all about, to have a chance to win
a major championship where you've just got to perform. I'm nervous,
but I love it at the same time. It's kind of a combination. I was
very nervous on the first tee and I was very nervous on the last
three holes. It's funny how the emotions works, but I hit some great
shots when I needed to, and you know when you think about that, that's
all the hard work. I mean, that's why I hit balls at night, that's
why I hit so many putts, that's why I go to the gym, to be in this
situation, and then to win. That's what motivates me and keeps me
going. I love it.
Q.: What
do you do to combat those nerves?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Well,
I keep telling myself: You've hit the shot before and you can do
it. Just focus on what you've got to do and try not to think about
what happens if you make the putt, what happens if you don't. Don't
think about consequences, just do what you've got to do.
It's same thing
on the first hole, just hit this 5-iron, and 16, it was just a matter
of hitting the wedge shot. On 18, that was probably one of the toughest
holes out here, and I pull out the driver and I was telling myself:
You've got to hit a draw, hit a draw, and that's just what I focused
on.
Click
here for the complete transcript with Annika Sorenstam.
