June22 womensopen
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Facts and figures for the 62nd U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles…
Dates: June 28-July 1.
Length: 6,664 yards.
Par: 35-36-71.
Format: 72 holes, stroke play.
Playoff: Three holes, stroke play.
Field: 156 players.
Purse: $3.1 million.
Winner’s share: $560,000.
Defending champion: Annika Sorenstam
Last year: Sorenstam’s 30-foot birdie on the 18th hole lipped out and Pat Hurst made a tricky 5-foot par putt to force an 18-hole playoff after both finished at even-par 284 at Newport Country Club. The playoff ended quickly, with Sorenstam building a two-shot lead after one hole, leading by five at the turn and shooting a 1-under 70 to win by four shots. It was her 10th major.
Past champions at Pine Needles: Annika Sorenstam (1996), Karrie Webb (2001).
2007 LPGA Majors: Morgan Pressel (Kraft Nabisco Championship), Suzann Pettersen (McDonald’s LPGA Championship).
Wie Watch: Michelle Wie, trying to play with injured wrists, has not broken par in her last 20 rounds.
Noteworthy: Alexis Thompson, 12, will be the youngest competitor since Beverly Klass played in 1967 at age 10.
Quoteworthy: “I play every tournament to win. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small tournament or a major tournament. I can only tell you that I really, really want to win a major.” – Lorena Ochoa
