Sorenstam takes Acapulco Skins game in Mexico
By Karla Villegas Gama

Editor's note: Karla, a 21-year-old from Mexico, who wrote fan diaries for the MasterCard Classic Honoring Alejo Peralta, shared another experience to provide insight into the Acapulo Skins game in Mexico.

A non-official golf round was settled in Mexico, between the world #1 Annika Sorenstam and Mexican sensation, Lorena Ochoa.

It was a hot morning on September 16th at Tres Vidas Golf Club in Acapulco, Guerrero; both players were warming up while around 1,000 fans gathered to watch one of the most memorable skins game ever.

A total purse of $270,000 was at stake and both players were anxious to take the money home.

It was 1 p.m. when Annika Sorenstam was introduced, she made her tee shot and then Lorena came into the picture, fans went nuts and showed their support for the best Mexican golfer ever.

Annika was on fire, she took the first two skins. At #1, she made an approach shot from 93 yards and then had a great chance for birdie leaving her ball three inches from the hole. Then at #2, she had an 11 inch putt for birdie, while Lorena managed two straight pars.

At #3, both players made par so the next hole had a $30,000 value. Annika took advantage of the situation, and at #4, she had a eight-foot putt for birdie which she sank and took another skin.

At #5, Lorena had a nice chance to sink a birdie putt from about 12 feet but couldn't make it, so once again they tied, same thing happened on #6. So now, $45,000 was at stake and Lorena put pressure on Annika by holing her birdie putt, Sorenstam failed to make hers.

The first par 5 was nearby, both players tried to reach the green in two but missed it, Annika was in the left side bunker, while Lorena's approach shot was short and both players had to make tough decisions. Sorenstam, with a sand wedge, put her ball 13 feet away from the hole leaving Lorena with a great opportunity to take another skin but missed her birdie putt. Both players had par and for the third time, the hole was even.

The last hole on the front nine was across the corner, Lorena played aggressive and had a wonderful chance to take the skin but faltered. Annika had another birdie opportunity, this time from 11 inches which she eventually sank and took another $30,000. The score by now was 6-3 Sorenstam.

Lorena knew she had to do something big on the back nine so she started to play aggressively, but there were no results. Both made par at #10 and at 11, while another amazing approach gave Annika the opportunity to bank $30,000 more with a six-foot birdie putt.

Even when Lorena was fighting, Annika's shots were lethal; both had birdie opportunities at 12 but let them go away and the money accumulated for the next hole.

The second par 5 was the perfect opportunity for Lorena to resurge and she did it in style. Her tee shot flew over the water hazard and hit the fairway right in the middle. She had an eagle putt from 13 feet but faltered, still managing to make birdie and take the accumulated money.

Both had great birdie chances on 14 and 15 but missed them which made 16 the most important hole of the game since Lorena had a chance to tie Annika.

Lorena's second shot got trapped in the left side bunker while Sorenstam's was on the green, a bit far but still on the green. Lorena had a nice shot from the sand but three putted for bogey leaving Annika the perfect chance to secure the victory with a short par putt.

Even when she missed the chance to tie the game, Lorena fought like a champion and had a nice opportunity for birdie but faltered. Annika was once again in a bunker and managed to save par.

The last hole was one of the most comforting for Mexican fans since Lorena won it. She had par while Sorenstam made her only bogey of the round. Both players tossed their balls to the fans.

At the press conference, Lorena said she had already asked Annika for a rematch, a situation that the Swede accepted gladly. The date and place haven't been revealed yet but both players hope to comeback to Acapulco. It was Lorena's first skins game so she was happy to play it against the legendary Annika Sorenstam.

Annika said she was flattered to play with her in front of her home crowd and also said Lorena has been, without any doubt, the most consistent player this year.

Finally, they headed to the club house to sign some autographs for the fans and left the course after that.

FINAL RESULTS: Annika 11 skins ($165,000 dollars), Lorena 7 skins ($105.000 dollars)

Read more from Karla's in her fan diaries>>

Photos by Karla Villegas Gama.