Anna Nordqvist’s come-from-behind victory at last year’s ShopRite LPGA Classic Presented by Acer was not only a gift to herself, but also a wonderful present to her mother, Maria.
The talented Swede ended a 14-month winless drought and notched LPGA Tour win No. 5 on Mother’s Day in Sweden to give her mother quite a prize. What made it even sweeter was the fact that Maria was in New Jersey to witness her daughter’s triumph in person, the first time she’d ever seen Nordqvist hoist a professional trophy.
“I couldn't have give her a better present than to spend this day with her,” Nordqvist said after the win last year. “I’m just speechless right now. I fought hard today and can’t believe I'm sitting here with the trophy.”
The two have an extremely special bond, and the win was something they could enjoy together.
“That was pretty special because my mom's been there through thick and thin,” Nordqvist said, “and helped me through my downs and pushed me through my ups. So, it’s very special.”
Nordqvist should have warm feelings this week when she returns to defend her title at the Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club’s Bay Course, and perhaps those sentiments will inspire another championship performance. The veteran carded a final-round 69 to finish a stroke ahead of Christel Boeljon – who will be back this week – and overcome the lead of Morgan Pressel, who finished in a tie for third.
The 54-hole event boasts a purse of $1.5 million, and there will be plenty of talented players challenging Nordqvist for the winner’s share. Considering she won the event in 2012 and 2014 at the same par-71, 6,177-yard course, Stacy Lewis should be considered a favorite, and fellow past winners Karrie Webb (2013), Ai Miyazato (2010), Angela Stanford (2003), Michelle McGann (1997) and Juli Inkster (1986, 1988) are also teeing it up this week.
Jenny Shin is looking to double down in the Atlantic City area this week and add a second win to her season resume, and fans should also keep their eyes on last week’s runner-up, Christina Kim, and stars like Brooke Henderson, Na Yeon Choi, Shanshan Feng and Gerina Piller this week. The Tour’s hottest player, Ariya Jutanugarn, is taking a week off after running her winning streak to three straight events, so that leaves the door open for someone else to raise a trophy.
One of the Tour’s longest-standing tournaments, the ShopRite LPGA Classic ran from 1986-2006 and returned to the schedule in 2010. Players enjoy great hospitality and experience the bright lights of Atlantic City during a fun-filled week on the New Jersey coast.
The event is the third of 11 consecutive weeks of action for the LPGA Tour and players’ final opportunity to sharpen their games before the Tour’s second major of the 2016 campaign, next week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in Sammamish, Wash. The last two tournament winners have posted three rounds in the 60s, so there’s a good chance this week’s champion will have to do the same.
It’s time for more drama on the Jersey shore.
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