Pro golfer checks off bucket-list item at Augusta thanks to Annika Sorenstam
CHANDLER, Ariz. — If you talk golf long enough with someone, it seems like eventually the conversation gets around to the Masters and Augusta National Golf Club.
That was the case this week at Whirlwind Golf Club at Wild Horse Pass — the host venue for the LPGA's 2025 visit to Arizona, the Ford Championship — where Madelene Sagstrom was the special guest at a kickoff event at the course located on the Gila River Indian Community. It was during a Q&A that she revealed she recently checked off a true bucket list item.
"I was invited to go play Augusta last week," she said. "I was very fortunate to play with Annika [Sorenstam] two rounds out there and it was one of those experiences where, if you're a golfer … that's the place to be. It was a pinch-me moment. I am super grateful to experience that, to play with her. She was my childhood idol growing up and I consider her a close friend."
Sorenstam and Sagstrom are fellow Swedes, and Sagstrom's Solheim Cup debut in 2017 came after being named to the team by Sorenstam.
So how'd she play?
"I nailed the fairway on the first hole, made birdie on the first hole, and I'm like, 'I'm done. I'm going home. I don't need to do anything else today. I'm done,'" she said, laughing. "I went out and shot a solid 80. The greens just killed me that day."
The trip down Magnolia Lane included more than just the one round.
"I was lucky enough to get a second round and I shot 1 under," she said, noting that she didn't play from the tips. "I played the members tees, so that was a big advantage but it was just so incredible."
Sorenstam is a member of the club, which cleared the way for Sagstrom to access.
"Being a professional golfer, I thought maybe I'd have the chance, possibly, but it's one of those things, when you get the phone call it's like I will drop anything.
"It was one of those things you dream about but don't expect to do. It's on the bucket list but it's like, a lot of bucket-list items are things that you expect to do, right? But this is like 'I would love to go,' but you don't really expect to do it."
The LPGA is in the midst of its spring Asian swing. The Ford, March 27-30, will be the first event back in the U.S. since the Founders Cup in early February. It will also mark tournament defending champion Nelly Korda's next appearance.
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Japan's Miyu Yamashita and Rio Takeda pull away from the field at Women's British Open
PORTHCAWL, Wales -- Miyu Yamashita started and finished with short birdie putts and was flawless in between as she posted a 7-under 65 on Friday to build a three-shot lead over Rio Takeda going into the weekend of the Women's British Open. The Japanese players, both among the top 15 in the women's world ranking, played in the same group at Royal Porthcawl and put on a show in the second round, matching great shots and big putts along the way that left the rest of the field far behind. Takeda was the only player within seven shots of Yamashita. Nelly Korda (72) and rising English star Lottie Woad (70) were among the top 10 on the leaderboard and still nine shots behind at the halfway point. Woad was on the cusp of contention until a triple bogey on the par-4 16th. 'There was a lot more good in it than bad,' Woad said. 'Played really well for 17 holes, just that one hole cost me a bit.' Yamashita was bogey-free and did most of her damage with four birdies in a five-hole stretch around the turn as she took advantage of an early start before stronger wind arrived. 'I didn't make any particular adjustments to my swing, but the wind was strong, so I think shots are important, as well as club selection and the direction I aim at the target,' Yamashita said. 'So things like that are important, so I played while keeping in mind the image I've been practicing so far.' Takeda, whose two LPGA titles include the Toto Japan Classic last year before she was a member, was slowed by a pair of bogeys. Takeda atoned for that with a superb approach into the par-5 ninth that settled within tap-in range for eagle. She shot 69. 'I was able to play calmly today, and I hope to focus on my game and play calmly again tomorrow,' Takeda said. Yamashita, who celebrates her 24th birthday on Saturday, was at 11-under 133. Chiara Tamburlini of Switzerland and Pajaree Anannarukarn of Thailand each shot 69 and were tied for third at 4-under 140, along with American Lindy Duncan (70). The cut was shaping up to be at 2-over 146. Brooke Henderson of Canada was right on the cut line until missing a 4-foot par putt on the windblown 17th, and then failing to make birdie on the par-5 closing hole. Also missing the cut were world No. 4 Ruoning Yin (77(, Rose Zhang (76) and U.S. Women's Open champion Maja Stark (78). Korda remains the No. 1 player in women's golf despite not winning this year, and she now faces a tall order with a nine-shot deficit for the last 36 holes. 'Honestly didn't really capitalize on anything in the calmer conditions on the front nine, then kind of got really windy on the back,' Korda said. 'Made a few more mistakes but bounced back with some birdies. Overall, I'm not going to complain with even par.' Woad made the best run at the Japanese duo until one swing and one nasty lie cost her. She had a 3-wood for her second shot into a strong wind on the par-4 16th. It sailed to the right into thick grass. Her first hack moved the golf ball only a few inches. She had to take a penalty shot for an unplayable lie, got that one on the green and two-putted for a triple bogey. She closed with two pars for a 70, a score that otherwise would seem satisfactory. 'I'd certainly take it now, but not when I was standing on the 16th tee,' Woad said with a smile. 'Yeah, just got to try to play well over the weekend. It's pretty packed, so I can move up a bit.' Everyone is chasing Yamashita, who led the Japan LPGA money list in 2022 and 2023 while winning five times in each of those seasons. She also finished one shot out of a playoff for the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics last year. For now, she is thinking only about keeping her rhythm in the wind. 'I haven't particularly worried about expected scores until now. I'm always thinking about competing for a high ranking in each tournament, and I just played with my day in mind,' Yamashita said. 'So I'm glad that my score and ranking worked out.'
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Will golf's major season begin and end with career grand slam? Here's who could join Rory
The 2025 major season began with career grand slam mania. Could it end that way? Minjee Lee certainly has a strong case for it at the AIG Women's British Open. The Aussie collected her third different major title at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship last month in Frisco, Texas, adding to her 2021 Amundi Evian Championship and 2022 U.S. Women's Open titles. The 29-year-old opened the AIG Women's British Open with a 2-under 70 at Royal Porthcawl, putting her in fine position to make a run. In 11 previous Women's British Open appearances, Lee has five top-11 finishes. She also finished one shot out of the playoff earlier this month at the Evian, won by Grace Kim. "I don't think I'm going to complain with a 2-under start," she said after Thursday's round in Wales. "Some of the holes are just beasts out there." The LPGA recognizes seven players as having won the career grand slam: Louise Suggs (1957), Mickey Wright (1962), Pat Bradley (1986), Juli Inkster (1999), Karrie Webb (2001), Annika Sorenstam (2003) and Inbee Park (2015). After the LPGA added a fifth major, tour officials deemed that players who have won four different majors available in their careers will have accomplished the career grand slam. Those who have won five different majors will have won the super career grand slam. Webb is the only player to have won the super career grand slam. That happened in 2002 when she won the Weetabix Women's British Open. She'd previously won the McDonald's LPGA Championship, U.S. Women's Open, Nabisco Championship and du Maurier Classic. Lee is one of five active players on the LPGA who need one more major title to achieve the career grand slam. She's joined by Lydia Ko, Anna Nordqvist, In Gee Chun and Yani Tseng. Chun and Lee are the only two players in the field this week who need the AIG to get it done. Ko told Golfweek earlier in the year that in her book, she needs all five to achieve the career grand slam. "I think for me, like all five is the goal," added Lee last week in Scotland, "so I think it's just different for us because we have five and we don't have four. I think it should be – I don't know what it should be, but I just think for me, five is the goal." This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Two players have a chance to achieve career grand slam at British Open
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2025 AIG Women's British Open second round recap: Can anyone catch Miyu Yamashita?
The 2025 AIG Women's British Open is being held this year at Royal Porthcawl in Wales, as Lydia Ko is the defending champion after claiming the Women's British Open a year ago at St. Andrews. Here's a full recap of the events that transpired during Friday's second round: Can anyone catch Miyu Yamashita? Miyu Yamashita took advantage of a comfortable pairing with compatriot Rio Takeda and calmer conditions to shoot a sparkling 7-under 65 and vault to a three-stroke lead at Royal Porthcawl. Takeda, a rookie who has already won twice on the LPGA, sits in solo second, three shots back. There was a two-shot difference between the two waves at the AIG Women's British Open, with those playing late/early in the first two rounds getting the better draw. "Crazy," said Megan Khang of Yamashita's 11-under total. The petite Yamashita, a 13-time winner on the JLPGA, won LPGA Q-School last December to earn her card. "My dad is here, so I'd like to work on any areas I need to improve," she said after the round. "He says my swing isn't bad, and I also want to keep my rhythm." Yamashita, who noted that it's rare for Japanese players to be grouped together on the LPGA, has yet to win on that tour but is ranked 15th in the world. Takeda is ranked 12th. So far this season, no player ranked inside the top 20 coming into an event has won an LPGA major. Should that trend continue this week, it would be a first since the rankings began in 2006. An eight-time winner on the JLPGA, Takeda tied for second at the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills earlier this year and is making her second British Open appearance. "I was able to play calmly today," said Takeda, "and I hope to focus on my game and play calmly again tomorrow." Three players hold a share of third at 4 under, seven strokes back of the lead. That trio includes Lindy Duncan, who lost in a playoff earlier this year at the Chevron Championship. World No. 1 Nelly Korda and Lottie Woad are part of a large pack at 2 under that also includes Porthcawl member Darcey Harry. Jeeno Thitikul, the best player in women's golf without a major, suffered a triple-bogey on the par-3 15th to drop to 1 under, 10 shots back. "I think everything can happen, especially (on a) links course," said Thitikul, who lost in a playoff to Grace Kim at the Amundi Evian last month. Jeeno Thitikul manages to stay under par despite triple World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul got to 4 under until she found herself in the deepest of deep bunkers on the par-3 15th. After failing to get out the first time, Thitikul went out sideways and proceeded to make a triple-bogey six. Three pars coming in gave her a 1-over 73 to finish at 1 under for the tournament, 10 shots back of leader Miyu Yamashita. Overnight leader Eri Okayama struggles Eri Okayama is now 6 over through 10 holes. The JLPGA veteran began the day with five bogeys in the first six holes. She mentioned after an opening 67 that her early success came as a surprise given recent struggles with her back that forced a layoff. She's currently 1 over for the tournament, 12 back of leader Miyu Yamashita. Final qualifier Fuenfstueck hanging tough Germany's Laura Fünfstück, 30, has a long way to go playing in the last group on the course, but she's hanging strong at 3 under through 5 holes. Fünfstück played collegiately at the College of Charleston and has been a staple on the LET for several years, turning pro in 2018. Currently 3 under for the tournament, Fünfstück advanced through Final Qualifying on Monday to earn her spot. Big names bunched at 2 under at Royal Porthcawl Jeeno Thitikul and Minjee Lee make the turn at 2 under, joining a host of marquee names in the same position, currently T-13. Nelly Korda, Lottie Woad and Porthcawl member Darcey Harry are among those already in the clubhouse at 2 under. They'll need some help from Miyu Yamashita, who leads at 11 under, to have a chance to contend over the weekend. A victory here would give Lee, winner of the recent KPMG Women's PGA, the career grand slam. Nasa Hataoka starts strong in the wind As the afternoon gusts pick up at Porthcawl, Nasa Hataoka began a rare charge up the board. The Japanese veteran made three consecutive birdies on Nos. 7-9 to turn in 31. A bogey on the 10th dropped her back a bit. Now 2 under for the week, Hataoka is in a log jam at T-11. With nine top-10 career finishes in the majors, Hataoka has yet to win one. Woad finishes the day nine back at British Open A disappointing par on the closing par 5 gave Lottie Woad a 2-under 70 on the day. Given her six birdies in the first 14 holes, it's not the momentum she looked to carry into the weekend. Woad, the betting favorite, now sits at 2 under for the tournament, trailing leader Miyu Yamashita by nine strokes. After hitting only 11 greens in the first round, Woad hit 16 greens on Friday. Playing partners Lydia Ko (2 over) and Lilia Vu (7 over) will likely not make the cut at Porthcawl. Disaster for Lottie Woad on the 16th A missed shot off the tee for Lottie Woad on the par-4 16th went from bad to worse when her shot out of the long stuff sunk further down into an unplayable lie. She hit her fifth from a dirt path and then two-putted for a triple-bogey. It's worth noting that the putt for triple was a testy one, too. The miscue plummeted Woad down the board to a share of 16th at 2 under, nine back of leader Miyu Yamashita. Lottie Woad delighting the crowds at Porthcawl Englishwoman Lottie Woad drained her sixth birdie of the day on the 14th to get to 5 under for the tournament and in a share of fourth. The 22-year-old still trails leader Miyu Yamashita by six strokes after the Japanese player carded a brilliant 7-under 65 on Friday to take the clubhouse lead at 11 under. This marks Yamashita's fourth appearance in the British Open, with her best finish, a T-13, coming at Muirfield in her 2022 debut. Today's 65 marks her best score in the championship. Aussie ace at Royal Porthcawl Steph Kyriacou finished out her front nine at Royal Porthcawl in style with an ace on the par-3 eighth from 105 yards and a birdie on the ninth to shoot 33 on the front side. The ball flew straight into the hole. It marked the Aussie's first ace on the LPGA. After a dropped shot on the 10th, she's back to even par for the tournament. Miyu Yamashita charging hard at Women's British After a front-nine 33, Miyu Yamashita birdied three of the first four holes on the back nine to get to 6 under on the day. At 10 under, she's three shot clear of the field with compatriot Rio Takeda at 7 under, 2 under on the day. Englishwoman Lottie Woad is making her way up the leaderboard after four birdies on her last seven holes. She's 3 under for the tournament and in a share of 10th. What are the tee times for the second round of the Women's British Open? The first group is off at 1:30 a.m. ET (6:30 a.m. local time). All the second-round tee times can be found here. Who's in the field at the 2025 Women's British Open? It's a stacked tee sheet at Royal Portcawl in Wales with all 20 LPGA winners, including the winners of the first four LPGA majors in 2025, as well as 11 past champions ready to compete. All of the top 25 in the Rolex Rankings are there, including No. 1 Nelly Korda, No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, No. 3 Lydia Ko, No. 4 Ruoning Yin and No. 5 Minjee Lee. What is the field, format for the 2025 Women's British Open? The field will be 144 players with the low 65 and ties after 36 holes advancing to the third and final rounds. The format is 72 holes of stroke play. What is the prize money for the 2025 Women's British Open? The total purse at the AIG is $9.75 million with the winner taking home $1.4625 million, a new high in the event's history. That first-place money compares to the $1.2 million Grace Kim won at the Amundi Evian Championship, the $1.8 million Minjee Lee won at the KPMG Women's PGA, the $2.4 million Maja Stark won at the U.S. Open and the $1.2 million that Mao Saigo won at the Chevron Championship. This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 2025 British Open leaderboard Friday live updates, where to watch
