Sorenstam’s Year Starts Off Great

WESTON, Fla. — Annika Sorenstam gave herself a belated wedding gift Sunday.

Married only eight days, Sorenstam shot a six-under-par 66 to win the LPGA Tournament of Champions by four shots.

“I’m walking on clouds,” she said. “I’m really happy inside, and I think that helped my golf game.”

Sorenstam finished at 16-under-par 272 at the Weston Hills Country Club. She earned $115,000, along with a hug and kiss on the 18th green from her husband, David Esch.

Now comes the honeymoon. Sorenstam, 26, will take several weeks off and travel home to Sweden with her husband.

Sorenstam, playing with a new putter, turned an anticipated duel with Karrie Webb into a rout. Webb shot a 70, her worst round of the week, and finished second at 276. She won $72,000.

Barb Mucha, who had two eagles and a double-bogey on her way to a bizarre 70, finished third at 277. Nancy Lopez and Michelle McGann were a distant fourth at 285 in the season-opening tournament.

Sorenstam won even though five of her clubs--including the putter--were damaged while being shipped to the tournament. She putted well throughout the tournament with a new putter.

Jenny Lidback became the first player to score a hole in one on consecutive days in an LPGA tournament. She aced the 146-yard No. 11 with a six-iron Sunday after getting an ace at the 147-yard No. 17 with a five-iron Saturday.