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A sisterly struggle
Posted: Tuesday March 21, 2000 01:00 PM
PHOENIX -- Last weekend at the Standard Register Ping, Tom Sorenstam received his Father's Day present a few months early. On Saturday, he followed his only two children, Charlotta and Annika, who played in the final group. While it was the first time this coupling had occurred on the LPGA, the pairing was nothing new for Tom. While growing up in Stockholm, the two sisters, despite being 2 1/2 years apart, were each other's fiercest competitor. "Everything we did was a contest," Annika said. "Skiing, golf, tennis or cards -- you name it, we played and wanted to beat the other."
At the Standard Register Ping, Charlotta, who resembles her mother, relished the chance to earn her first LPGA title by knocking off her illustrious sister, who has 19 LPGA wins to her credit. Since joining the tour in 1997, Charlotta has lived in the shadow of her Hall of Fame-bound sister. In their younger days, though, it was Charlotta who showed the most potential. Swedish national golf coach Pia Nilsson, who coached both girls during their teenage years, says that both were talented in their own unique ways. "While Annika was three years older, Charlotta was a more physical player and a better striker of the ball," said Nilsson, who coached the sisters at the 1998 Solheim Cup. "Annika was a good player but was more game-smart. She didn't make many mistakes." Charlotta would show her strength by challenging all comers in arm wrestling. Even Tom, who is built much like Annika, admits falling victim to her clutch. "No one could beat her when it came to arm-wrestling," Annika said. "She was always stronger than everyone." After Annika faded on Sunday, Charlotta found herself in a battle with the LPGA's No. 1 player, Karrie Webb. With Webb going for her fourth straight LPGA victory, Charlotta's only chance to win might have been to grab Webb's wrist and pin it down. But Charlotta would show her strength as a golfer with accurate shots and pressure-packed putting. She would wrestle away the trophy to gain her first victory and knock off her biggest rival, her sister, and the world's hottest women golfer, Webb, at the same time. "She played awesome," said Annika, after the sisters shared a tearful embrace. "I'm so proud of her. She's always been in my shadow -- and now she broke through." Tom Hanson, a regular contributor to Sports Illustrated's Golf Plus section, caddies for Sara Sanders on the LPGA Tour. Click here to send him a question or comment. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
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