This week is the last second tournament of the LPGA events of this year, the Annika Driven by Gainbridge at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair. This tournament was previously known as the Pelican Women’s Championship but thanks to a new sponsor, and the association with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam, the event has a new name.

This is the fourth edition of the tournament and the newly formed alliance with Sorenstam will bring new recognition to the event which is being starred by big names on the LPGA.

Annika Sorenstam has a tournament dedicated to her name

The golf ladies stars who will be participating in the LPGA event this year are two-time defending champion Nelly Korda, world No. 1 Lilia Vu, and 16 of the top 20 ranked players. The tournament director Marci Doyle feels that the motto of this event is to ‘lead with legacy,’ and in Sorenstam, they have found the perfect fit.

And for Annika, this is a very special week she will be glad of her positive impact on the upcoming generation “It’s hard to absorb all this and have your name on a tournament. I’m honored to do that, but this is all teamwork, it’s not about me at all. I’m just glad to be associated with it and continue my passion for the next generation and the current generation and bringing the community together.

Sorenstam is looking forward to having a great week. “It feels like all the pieces have connected and come together and it’s fabulous to be here. I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a wonderful week.” The legendary golfer adds that she wants to continue doing things that inspire and grow women’s golf and she wants to make the event so memorable that the players come back next year.

This year the event has an elevated purse of $3.25 million which is the biggest purse of the Ladies’ tour besides the major championships. The big purse and heritage of Annika are attracting big and small names for the event.

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Sorenstam’s immaculate effect on next generation of golfers

Recognizing the efforts made by Sorenstam over the years after her retirement, Doyle adds that Annika “does so much outside of the ropes, and that reflects a lot of what club owners and the Doyle family do, as well.” Sorenstam has been a source of inspiration for every female golfer. Louise Rydqvist, a 22-year-old college student who is a sponsor exemption this weekend feels that while growing up she always looks to Sorenstam as an idol. 

And now playing in the Annika named event life will come full circle for her. The inaugural event this week will surely be entertaining and historic.

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