Annika Sorenstam motivates

new champion Anna Nordqvist

to keep improving

By COLIN FARQUHARSON
New British women's open amateur champion Anna Nordqvist will turn professional in two years after she completes her degree course at Arizona State University.
Does the 6ft 1in blonde Swedish player see herself as the "new Annika Sorenstam" from 2010 and beyond?
"Obviously Annika has had an unbelievable career so far and she has really set the standard high for women's golf," said 21-year-old policeman's daughter Anna.
"But I don't think there will be a 'new Annika Sorensatam.' I think she was a one-off but I do believe that if I reach my full potential I will be able to compete against the best players in the world."
On the LPGA or Ladies European Tour?
"I think everybody agrees the best players in the world are to be found on the LPGA Tour and that's where I aim to be when I turn pro," said Anna (pictured above by Cal Carson Golf Agency, all rights reserved).
"Annika has been the biggest inspiration for me growing up and I really admire her for her performances on the golf course. She really inspires and motivates me to get better. She has shown me and the rest of the golfing world that hard work pays off and that there are no short cuts to succes - and that is also the way I look at the game."
For Anna Nordqvist to reach three finals in a row in the British women's open amateur championship speaks volumes for (a) Her consistently high level of performance and (b) Her determination to succeed.
There are umpteen players who have done well in the "British" and returned to the championship the following year, hoping for more of the same ... and it doesn't happen. There is a degree of luck involved in a match-play tournament, from a player's position in the draw to the form of the players she comes up against.
Anna Nordqvist, who has a handicap of +4, has been able to navigate her way round the potential pitfalls in three successive championships. Which takes some doing.
And, she says, "All being well, I will be back to defend the title in Wales next year at Royal St David's Golf Club, Harlech."
Anna has been a British champion before North Berwick. She won the British girls' open title at West Hill, Sussex in 2005.