The tune-ups continue wherever competition can be found. It’s been just shy of a month since Inbee Park won the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. And with the early Asian swing canceled out of an abundance of caution for the coronavirus, LPGA Tour players are doing whatever they can to scrape off the competitive rust.

Some have found mini-tours near their homes – the Cactus Tour, for example, has had some marquee names in their events – while others have scrambled to play games at home with other tour players.

One major champion tuned up this week by competing in the Moon Valley Classic in Phoenix, an event on the historically all-male Outlaw Tour. Not only did Anna Nordqvist compete from 7,250 yards, she shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 and was tied for the lead after the opening round among a field of 80 men.

“I was pretty happy, obviously,” Nordqvist said after the first day. “I’ve never really played the back tees before, so it was a little bit longer than I’m used to. But I was striking the ball really well.”

The 32-year-old from Sweden has eight LPGA Tour victories including the 2009 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the 2017 Evian Championship. She isn’t long by LPGA Tour standards. Last year Nordqvist ranked 142nd in driving distance. But her accuracy is astounding. She ranked 12th in 2019 in greens in regulation, having birdie putts on almost 75% of the holes she played.

Neil Johnson, a Wisconsin native who played with Nordqvist in the first round at Moon Valley, told Wisconsin Golf, “Anytime you get to play with someone who has won major tournaments, it’s going to be a special day. It was a blast. (She was) fun to talk with her and (I) loved watching her swing. So smooth and consistent."

Nordqvist shot 71 on day two of the 54-hole event and entered the final round in a tie for seventh. She struggled with a 76 on Wednesday to finish the event tied for 28th, still better than 60% of the men in the field.

“It’s been great playing with the guys,” Nordqvist said. “Obviously, it’s been a rough stretch not playing (in LPGA Tour events) because of the coronavirus.”

When that stretch ends remains up in the air as the Founders Cup, the Kia Classic and the ANA Inspiration have been postponed in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Nordqvist keeps fresh playing with the men

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