Anna Nordqvist will be looking for a three-peat this week at the ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer.
“I seem to be playing really well here over the last couple years,” Nordqvist said with a smile. “I think it’s definitely challenging with the wind. A little softer conditions this year, so it’s going to be playing a little bit different. You’re going to he have to hit good golf shots. A lot of times with the greens being small and undulated you have to hit good iron shots, and I think that really fits my game.”
Despite the recent success, the seven-time LPGA winner decided to make some major changes in the offseason.
“Well, this year I’ve kind of made a couple changes over the winter and made a couple changes recently,” Nordqvist said. “It’s been more about trusting myself. I have a lot smaller team. Right now I don’t have a swing coach. I don’t work with a trainer anymore. Just been a lot about trusting myself.”
The transitions were all part of a new approach to the 2017 season from Nordqvist.
“My 9th year on tour, so I feel like I know what works the best for me, so I’ve been trying to do my own thing. Having Kyle on the bag about a year and a half now and I feel like we’re a really good team. So I feel like we’re doing our on thing out there, and I feel like that’s paying off.”
ShopRite Announces Five Year Extension
Wakefern Food Corp., Eiger Marketing Group and the LPGA today announced a five-year sponsorship extension that will extend ShopRite’s commitment to the tournament through 2023. Originally known as the Atlantic City Classic, the tournament began in 1986 and was officially changed to the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 1992 when Wakefern Food Corp. became the title sponsor.
“We’re thrilled that the ShopRite LPGA Classic has been extended through 2023,” said LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan. “Over the past 25+ years, ShopRite has become family to the LPGA and Atlantic City feels like home. We are excited that our partnership with Wakefern will allow this tradition to continue for many years to come.”
This year’s event marks Wakefern’s 26th year as a supporter of women’s professional golf. In 2016, ShopRite was recognized with the Commissioner’s Award signifying its long-standing commitment to the LPGA. “We are proud of our long running partnership with the LPGA and commitment to this great golfing event,” said Joseph Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern Food Corp., the marketing and distribution arm of ShopRite. “The annual tournament features the world’s top female golfers while also raising money for a variety of charities and community-based organizations. We look forward to a future filled with more great golf and good work with our friends at the LPGA.”
Amelia Lewis Has Special Visitor at ShopRite
If you’re walking around the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club this week, you may notice 2011 LPGA rookie Amelia Lewis has a special crowd following her. Alia Scotka a 14-year old from Crestview, Florida won the 2016 Amelia Lewis Girls National Championship (13U division), and as the winner gets the chance to follow Amelia at the 2017 ShopRite LPGA Classic to experience “life on the LPGA Tour”.
As part of her week on the Tour Alia and her father, who got her into the game of golf at age six, get the red-carpet treatment complete with a host family and inside the ropes passes. On Tuesday, Alia went inside the ropes with Amelia for a practice round with Sandra Gal. And on Wednesday, Amelia and Alia took over the LPGA Instagram account during the pro-am and practice, check out some of the photos here instagram.com/lpga_tour/
Quick Hits
- Nordqvist, a seven-time LPGA winner, is attempting to be the first player to successfully defend a tournament title this season
- Through eight events in 2017, Nordqvist has made seven cuts including a win at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup and an additional top-10 finish
- In seven appearances in Galloway, Nordqvist has collected two wins, five top-5 finishes and has yet to finish outside of the top-13
- In her last eight rounds at Stockton Seaview she has fired rounds in the 60s, including her tournament-low score of 64 in Round 1 of the 2016 ShopRite LPGA Classic
- Nordqvist played collegiately at Arizona State University, who took home the 2017 NCAA women’s golf title a week ago today
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