Q. How do you feel after your first
round?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I feel great.
I shot under par in the Open, obviously better than other tournaments.
It was a difficult day. But I hung in there. I was being patient.
Q. Comparing this to your start
in '96, how would you compare the two?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: It's a new
week, it's a new tournament. I can't compare my day today. It's
not an easy golf course. And the first day, a lot can happen.
Obviously you have to be patient and go from there.
Q. How did you feel about the
early start this morning? Did you feel that was beneficial?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: It was very
early. I don't know. I got up at 5:00, and that was really early.
It's kind of hard to wake up and get loose. But it's nice to
get off first. Smoother greens. Normally it doesn't get windy,
but I think the wind has picked up.
Q.
Certainly not a round that you're overly excited about,
Annika, but in reality, you're right in the thick of things.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: I guess I
am. I'm actually quite pleased with my round today.
It was difficult out there. I hit a lot of good shots. It seemed like all day I was between clubs.
And it was one of those days that I made a great birdie
on 17 and got into level par, I'll take it.
Q.
Did the course play exceedingly hard?
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: No. I think it was the wind that made it difficult.
The course is in great shape.
The wind was swirling, sometimes it was down, sometimes
it was in. I didn't know
what to hit.
Q.
Congratulations on a good opening round. Good luck
the rest of the way.
ANNIKA SORENSTAM: Thank
you very much.