77th U.S. Women’s Open – Syndication Server

Unfazed by heat, Lexi Thompson fires 68 at U.S. Women’s Open: ‘I’d rather be sweating than freezing’

While many at Pine Needles were battling temperatures in the mid-90s and relentless sun, Lexi Thompson felt right at home.

Notorious for adding seemingly insurmountable obstacles to its championships, the U.S. Golf Association can’t take credit for the heat advisory that had players during Thursday’s opening round of the 77th U.S. Women’s Open consistently wiping their brows.

But while many at Pine Needles were battling the elements — including temperatures in the mid-90s and relentless sun — Lexi Thompson felt right at home.

“I’m from Florida. I’m used to the heat. I’d rather be sweating than freezing,” said the Coral Springs native. “I’m definitely used to it, but I drank a water every hole or two holes, so got to stay hydrated.”

While one of her playing partners, Jin Young Ko, used an umbrella for much of the scorching round, Thompson used an eagle just after the turn to finish the day with a solid 68, leaving in her contention to capture that elusive first U.S. Open. She’s placed in the top 10 on five different occasions at this event, including a runner-up finish in 2019.

Strong finish 💪@Lexi with a birdie on her last hole to finish 3-under. She's currently T-4. #USWomensOpen pic.twitter.com/AhBsdlba6V

— U.S. Women's Open (USGA) (@uswomensopen) June 2, 2022

“It was overall just a very steady day. Just tried to stay in the moment, making sure I committed to my routine and my shots out there and just being relaxed,” she said. “A U.S. Women’s Open Championship sometimes you just have to aim away from pins, take your pars, and get off the hole, and it’s all about patience.”

U.S. Women’s Open: Photos | Tee times, TV | Lindblad has lead

2022 U.S. Women's Open — Lexi Thompson reacts after sinking an eagle putt on the first hole during the first round at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. on Thursday, June 2, 2022. (Jeff Haynes/USGA)

Thompson has been trending in the right direction this season, and even though she trails amateur Ingrid Lindblad by three strokes after the first round of play, she feels there are plenty of scoring opportunities still ahead.

She’s already posted a pair of second-place finishes on the LPGA this year, coming in second at the LPGA Drive On Championship at Crown Colony in February and then again at the Cognizant Founders Cup two weeks ago, when she finished just two strokes behind victor Minjee Lee.

On Thursday, Thompson added 14 pars to the one eagle, two birdies and one bogey.

“I think there is a few gettable pins that they’ll put throughout the days,” she said when asked what the secret formula is to winning at Pine Needles. “But like I said, just being patient and taking the pars when you can and being aggressive at the pins that you can be aggressive at, because some you can just get bit in the butt if you go for a pin and just miss it by a few yards. So being patient, taking those opportunities when you can.”

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U.S. Women’s Open: Annika Sorenstam opens with 74 in first LPGA major start in 14 years

Annika Sorenstam will have her work cut out Friday to make the cut at the 77th U.S. Women’s Open.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – In what likely feels like another life, Annika Sorenstam would’ve found another gear. Maybe two gears.

But now, 14 years removed her last LPGA major, the mother of two and full-time businesswoman is out of gears. She has learned to roll with what she has, and in the opening round of the 77th U.S. Women’s Open, her best of the day resulted in a 3-over 74. She’ll have her work cut out Friday to make the cut in her first LPGA major since 2008.

“I don’t get as mad as I used to,” she said. “I kind of bounce it off. By the end of the day, the kids want to do something, I probably have to cook dinner, just all those things that I enjoy doing off the golf course. I can’t get upset anymore.”

Sorenstam, who won her second of three U.S. Women’s Opens at Pine Needles in 1996, earned her way into the field this week via her victory at the 2021 U.S. Senior Women’s Open. The 10-time major winner is here because. she loved the matriarch of Pine Needles, the late Peggy Kirk Bell, and because Sorenstam’s family wanted to her play. Sorenstam also wanted to tee it up alongside all the players who have grown up competing in her junior events and winning awards that are named after her.

U.S. Women’s Open: Photos | Tee times, TV | Lindblad has lead

In that respect, the day couldn’t have possibly gone better. Swedish amateur Ingrid Lindblad, who won the ANNIKA Invitational in 2019, played alongside Sorenstam as she carded a 6-under 65, the lowest round by an amateur in championship history. She also leads the field by two.

“She fist-pumped me for a few birdies,” said a smiling Lindblad, “and it was fun.”

In her prime, Sorenstam was singularly focused inside the ropes. Now, she’s a master at multi-tasking, worrying about whether or not her two kids, Will and Ava, are drinking enough water and re-applying sunblock.

“There’s a lot of thoughts going in, and then it’s like, OK, trigger,” said Sorenstam, snapping her fingers. “Now you’ve got to play; you’ve got to hit a hybrid.”

But, that’s why the 72-time LPGA winner is here in the first place. To make new memories at an old, familiar place.

On Wednesday, Sorenstam and her husband fielded a rare call from 11-year-old Will during their practice round at Pine Needles. He’d aced the fifth hole at The Cradle at Pinehurst from 50 yards. Sorenstam got a blow-by-blow account several times that night.

“He has a friend in Nevada, Mason, and Mason is a good player,” said Sorenstam. “Mason hasn’t had a hole-in-one I’ve just found out.

“Joshua Poulter has not had a hole-in-one, either. He was first and I got to hear that a few times. We’re making memories in different ways.”

Sorenstam won’t leave anything out there Friday at Pine Needles. She has nothing to lose. But she also knows there are some holes that won’t allow her to be aggressive as she tries to make the cut.

The 51-year-old is one of two players over 40 in the field of 156, joined by 44-year-old Angela Stanford. She’s the only one who competed in three previous Women’s Opens hosted at Pine Needles.

After the round, Sorenstam thought she might go practice after lunch if the weather had cooled down enough.

“Unless my kids want to go to The Cradle again,” she said. “Then we’ll have to see. Otherwise they’ll have to cradle me some more.”

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Swedish amateur Ingrid Lindblad, playing alongside Annika Sorenstam, cards record-breaking 65 to lead U.S. Women’s Open

Ingrid Lindblad’s 6-under 65 is the championship’s lowest 18-hole score by an amateur.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Amateur Ingrid Lindblad first met Annika Sorenstam eight years ago when she competed in the ANNIKA Invitational Europe. The next year, the young Swede played in the ANNIKA Cup. Fast forward to 2022, and a 22-year-old Lindblad got the shock of her life when she was paired with Sorenstam for the first two rounds of the 77th U.S. Women’s Open. Lindblad was 8 years old when Annika retired from the LPGA.

“Then, on the first tee box,” Lindblad said, “I get her scorecard. I’m like, I have Annika’s scorecard in my hands.”

While many would’ve been overwhelmed completing alongside a 10-time major winner, on a course where Sorenstam won her second of three U.S. Women’s Open titles 26 years ago, Lindblad played the best golf of her life.

Her history-making 6-under 65 at Pine Needles is the championship’s lowest 18-hole score by an amateur. Three amateurs have posted 66: Carol Semple Thompson (1994), Brittany Lincicome (2004) and Gina Kim (2019).

Last year, then 17-year-old amateur Megha Ganne co-led after the first round with Mel Reid after firing a 67 at The Olympic Club. Only one amateur has won this championship, Catherine Lacoste, in 1967. Lindblad first learned of that stat earlier this week at an amateur dinner.

It’s not lost on her that the record-setting $10 million purse includes $1.8 million to the winner. (Lindblad can’t receive any prize money this week because of her amateur status.)

When asked if there were any regrets that she didn’t turn pro this week, she smiled and said, “When you say it, yeah, it’s … it would have been fun to win a little bit of money, but I think I’m going to stay in college for a little bit more.”

Annika Sorenstam, left, congratulates Ingrid Lindblad on the eighth hole after they completed their first round at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. on Thursday, June 2, 2022. (Jeff Haynes/USGA)

The LSU junior is ranked No. 2 in the world behind Rose Zhang and has largely toiled in the American’s shadow. Even so, Lindblad has won nine times at LSU including this year’s SEC Championship, where she drained a 38-foot eagle putt on the final hole to clinch the title. She’s the 2021 European Ladies Amateur champion and finished in the top 3 of both the NCAA Championship and Augusta National Women’s Amateur this year, closing with a 4-under 68 at Augusta National.

“It was nice to walk with her, but she was fearless,” said Sorenstam, who opened with a 3-over 74. “It’s fun to watch.”

In addition to Sorenstam, Lindblad had another Swedish champion on her bag in Solheim Cup veteran Sophie Gustafson, who won five times on the LPGA. Lindblad said she didn’t have a caddie for the week and the Swedish national coach introduced the pair.

“I think I looked at her Instagram,” said Lindblad, “but I was like, ‘Whoa, she’s won a couple times on tour.’ ”

Ingrid Lindblad and her caddie Sophie Gustafson discuss strategy on the 12th hole during the first round at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C. on Thursday, June 2, 2022. (Darren Carroll/USGA)

A couple of major champions – Minjee Lee and Anna Nordqvist – trail Lindblad, one of 29 amateurs in the field, by two strokes after the first round. Lexi Thompson, who suffered great heartbreak at this championship last year after a late-round collapse at Olympic, opened with a 68.

Sorenstam, playing in her first LPGA major since 2008, described young Lindblad as quite bubbly. When Lindblad won the ANNIKA Invitational in 2019 in St. Augustine, Florida, she was flying out of Orlando but didn’t have a ride. Sorenstam offered to give her one, and mostly listened to the outgoing teen.

“I think people see her as a long hitter, but I’m sure you saw her today,” said Sorenstam, “some of those chip shots she hit, especially here on 18, that was not an easy one.

“She just kind of stood there, really good touch, and she putted beautifully today, good speed. Everything was really – I was really impressed.”

When not working on her world-class game or studying, Lindblad likes to work on puzzles of at least 1,000 pieces and watch TV. Friends in the U.S. call her “Iggy,” though she’s not really sure why.

Can an amateur win this again?

“Yeah, it’s possible,” said Lindblad rather convincingly.

LSU coach Garrett Runion notes that his star player likes bigger crowds, bigger stages and the rush that follows. No European has won this championship since Sorenstam captured her third Women’s Open title in 2006.

“We’re still in the first quarter,” said Runion, “but I know she’ll give it a shot.”

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Players who miss the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles will receive $8,000, double what was given last year

A full purse breakdown isn’t yet available, but it’s safe to say this will be a game-changing week for many financially.

One of the biggest storylines heading into the 77th U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles is the historic $10 million purse. The 2022 winner will receive $1.8 million. While a full purse breakdown isn’t yet available, it’s safe to say that this will be a game-changing week for many financially.

Benefits of a purse that size extend throughout the whole field, however, even to those who don’t play the weekend. This year, professionals who miss the cut will receive $8,000, double what was given last year at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. The men who missed the U.S. Open cut at Torrey Pines last year received $10,000.

There are 19 players on the Epson Tour who qualified for Pine Needles. The 50th-ranked player on that tour has earned less than $10,000 all season. To know going into the event that no matter what happens, money won’t be lost, is a big deal.

“If I have one outrageous, spectacular week,” said Epson Tour player Gabby Lemieux, “that could make or break my entire season. It could be something along the lines of me running out of money at the end of the season maybe. Just good week could mean all the stress is gone. I don’t have to worry about having to eat McDonald’s. I could go out and have a steak if I want.”

Epson Tour player Gabby Lemieux (courtesy Epson Tour)

Lemieux, 25, who will make her major debut at Pine Needles, said she spends roughly $1,200 per week on a hotel on the Epson Tour. She has her husband, Jared, on the bag but said caddie fees on tour range anywhere from $700 to $1,200.

All players at the U.S. Women’s Open will also receive a Lexus courtesy car. They also receive discount cards for local restaurants, though free hot food in player hospitality runs until 8 p.m. each night.

There are physical therapists on hand, massage therapists, chiropractic care as well as a hyperbaric trainer and Normatec compression recovery.

Every perk adds up to a special week and profitable week. Last year’s purse at The Olympic Club was $5.5 million. There are plans to increase the purse to $12 million over the next five years.

“I think ultimately it takes the pressure off to go out there and make money,” said Lemieux, who has made $5,075 so far this season.

“Obviously our first goal should be to go out there and win. But ultimately I feel like there’s this pressure behind the scenes that girls feel that not many get to see.”

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