Waiting for anything has become a thing of the past. Just about anything that anyone would need is just a phone tap away. Delayed gratification has gone out the window. It’s a right here, right now world.
Part of a generation of all things instant, it comes as no surprise 19-year-old Lydia Ko has sprinted to victory in her young career, amassing 14 wins on the LPGA Tour, including four already in the first half of 2016. For 30-year-old Brittany Lang it’s been much less of a sprint and more of a marathon and a career that’s starting to be defined by patience.
After enjoying a decorated amateur and college career that included a runner-up finish at the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open alongside fellow amateur Morgan Pressel, Lang set her sights on the LPGA Tour. But it wasn’t easy. Lang had to fight her way through a seven-way, three hole playoff to earn one of three cards for the 2006 LPGA Tour season. It would be just one of several playoffs that would come to define Lang’s career.
The 2006 rookie recorded seven top-10s in her first season on Tour and shot a career best 66 on five occasions during her rookie year, but it wasn’t enough to get that first win. Lang would have to remain patient for another six years before finding her way to the winner’s circle. At the 2012 Manulife LPGA Classic, Lang finished the week with a final round 67 to tie Chella Choi, Inbee Park and Hee Kyung Seo at 16-under par. Lang would come out on top once again in extra holes, winning the four-way, three hole, sudden death playoff for her first win on Tour.
And while a first win often makes the next win come more easily, that wasn’t the case for Lang, who would compete on four U.S. Solheim Cup teams before getting a second win. For Annika Sorenstam, who went nearly two years without a win later in her career, she says staying positive during the drought is key.
“The biggest mistake a player can make is to be negative and start doubting their ability to win. You have to keep working hard and set goals,” Sorenstam told LPGA.com via email. “It’s hard to win on the tour, so you have to keep grinding and trust that your game is good enough.”
Lang arrived at CordeValle for the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open with four top-10s already to start the season and excited for the challenge that came with playing in a USGA championship, evident from her success as an amateur. She opened with a four-under par, 68 on Thursday to sit just four-strokes back of the lead but a 75 on Friday knocked Lang down the leaderboard and seemingly out of contention.
“That’s the beauty of a major, especially the U.S. Open. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Every player will make mistakes, but whoever moves on the fastest will do well. You have to stick to a planned strategy and believe in yourself,” said Sorenstam. “Many times the course is very challenging and par is a good score.”
Lang bounced back with a 68 on Moving Day to climb within two-strokes of 54-hole leader Lydia Ko entering the final round. And while Ko and others stumbled on Sunday, Lang remained steady, posting a one-under par 71.
“She was so patient, determined and she was just playing her game,” said Sorenstam. “If a mistake was made, she didn’t panic. She regrouped and kept going.”
Tied with Anna Nordqvist at six-under par after 72-holes, the pair went to a three-hole aggregate playoff to determine the champion.
“Playoffs are different as they suddenly become like match play. You have to keep an eye on your opponent, but still focus on your game,” said Sorenstam. “I loved playoffs because you obviously have a good chance to win!”
After both Lang and Nordqvist made par at the first two playoff holes, the 16th and 17th holes, a review of Nordqvist’s fairway bunker shot at the 17th hole was reviewed. Nordqvist was deemed to have grounded her club and was assessed a two-stroke penalty. The pair was notified of the ruling by the USGA while standing in the 18th fairway after Nordqvist hit her approach but before Lang hit hers.
“Yes, it was a strange situation,” said Sorenstam. “The rules infraction itself was not uncommon, but how the news was delivered and the timing of it was awkward. In this case there was not much time to adjust, so you have to try and regroup and stay focused on the “present” shot and try to keep your mind from wandering. Winning any tournament takes focus, this was like no other.”
Nordqvist made bogey at the 18th hole where Lang made par to become the 71st U.S. Women’s Open champion, once again enduring a playoff to capture her second win on Tour and first major title.
“I was proud of the way Anna handled the situation and congrats to Brittany on a great win and for being right in the race for the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award,” said Sorenstam.
Lang’s victory at the U.S. Women’s Open makes her the third player in 2016 eligible for the Rolex Annika Major Award, which is presented at the Evian Championship, the season’s final major, to the player with the best performance in the majors throughout the year.
Click here for the current Rolex Annika Major Award standings.
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