Windy Shao

    windysjf@hotmail.com

    GOLF legend Annika Sorenstam shared her knowledge and passion for the sport with juniors at a clinic at Mission Hills Dongguan on Thursday as the seventh Annika Invitational at Mission Hills kicked off.

    “During the last 10 years, I have been working on growing the game of golf in juniors, it’s fantastic to see all these kids here,” said Sorenstam.

    “There are a lot of talents among the participants. Some are top players in China and Asia and it’s very nice for them to come and play against each other.

    “I am proud to share my knowledge and passion in the clinic, to help them get better and inspire them.

    “I started playing at 12 and we see some of the players here at 13 or 14, who are much better than I was at their age.”

    Talking about the golf development in China, 10-time Major winner Sorenstam said golf is still very young here.

    “In the 20 years that I have been coming here, I have seen a lot of changes, a lot of growth, I see many wonderful programs, academies and tournaments, to inspire the next generation. In the last five years, I’ve been very optimistic about the growth, especially the junior golf.”

    About 100 players from eight countries and regions took part in the Annika Invitational at Mission Hills over the Sorenstam-designed Annika Course.

    Among them were seven of the top-10 players from the China Golf Association’s national junior rankings.

    The top three players receive coveted berths in the Annika Invitational in the United States.

    China’s Wang Jiayi took the lead in Thursday’s round two. The final result comes out Friday.

    The event was the first junior girls-only tournament in China and Asia and the first Annika Invitational event outside the United States. It is also counted as part of the World Amateur Golf Ranking system and the China Golf Association’s Junior Ranking.

    Annika is widely considered as one of the most successful female golfers in history. Before stepping away from competitive golf at the end of the 2008 season, she had won 90 international tournaments as a professional, making her the female golfer with the most wins to her name. She has won 72 official LPGA tournaments including 10 majors and 18 other tournaments internationally.

    She is the only female golfer to shoot a 59 in competition. She holds various all-time scoring records including the lowest season scoring average: 68.6969 in 2004.