Not only did Sweden’s Ingrid Lindblad get to play with her idol, Annika Sorenstam, in the opening round of the US Women’s Open, she also shot the lowest ever score by an amateur in the tournament’s history with a brilliant six-under 65 at Pine Needles.
Lindblad carded seven birdies and one bogey in an opening six-under-par 65, leaving the 22-year-old just one shot behind leader Mina Harigae.
“I hit a few shots close to the pin and then my putting was great today,” Lindblad said. “Made a few par saves and made a few putts for birdies. It just worked from fairway to green.
“I felt like the course would be a little bit more narrow. I missed a few tee shots today that I thought would be a little bit more off, but then I get to the ball and I’m like, oh, it’s fine.
“The green areas were tough. You had to hit the right section of the green to not run off the slopes and everything. It’s a great US Open course.”
Sorenstam paid tribute to her compatriot after signing for an opening 74 in her first US Women’s Open appearance since 2008.
“She’s really impressive,” Sorenstam said. “She’s authentic. She’s got a special look, but she’s a fearless player. I think she’s confident in her own game. I know she doesn’t shy away from the limelight that maybe I did as a young girl.
“I think she embraces it quite well, and she has some good tournaments coming up this summer, and I think she’s excited. She’s really a terrific young lady, and I think she’s going to do well.”
