Annika Watch 2008: 1 Start, 1 Win

I missed posting this over the weekend because I don't normally have a chance to during Saturday and Sunday. Annika Sorenstam finally nabbed LPGA Tour win #70 with a two stroke victory at the season opening SBS Open at Turtle Bay.

Here's what Annika had to say of her round and the win:

"I'm obviously very, very thrilled," said Sorenstam, who has now won her past two starts in Hawai'i — six years apart. "It's great to win tournaments. There's some tournaments that mean a little bit more and they come at a special time. This is one of them, as you know for many reasons.

"I played solid for three days. It's nice to see, for me anyway. I'm hitting some good shots, playing some good golf. It's been a while. That's what I love to do is just play good golf."

To speak of how solid her final round was, consider this:

Sorenstam, at 37 now 18 back of Kathy Whitworth's record for tournament wins (male or female), was at her dominant best. She hit every fairway and missed just one green in the final round, her only glitch a three-putt bogey at the 11th. She thinks it will be easier for her now.

Annika played great from start to finish and, while she didn't face a challenge from Lorena Ochoa, she still has pesky challengers that would just not go away from her. In picking up win #70, she may have picked up the confidence and the push she needs to get to 80.