Can Annika Go the Full Five?

by Mulligan Stu on Sep 12, 2007 12:12 PM EDT Comment 0 comments

Things are looking pretty good for the United States team at the Solheim Cup. On paper, anyway (cue coaching cliche: "We play the game on grass, not paper!").

One thing working in Team USA's favor is the lingering effects of injury on the best player in the competition, Annika Sorenstam. Today, Sorenstam admitted that she might not be available to play a full five matches for Europe:

"It's a very good question," Sorenstam replied when asked if she could play all five games in three days here. "If you had asked me two months ago, I would have said no. But it's different once you get here with the adrenaline pumping.

"I have to see how I feel. If I feel good, I'm going to do what they want me to do. I also think I need to be honest and to say if I don't feel like I can. Every point is important. If I can't play up to the way I need to, then I need to let somebody else go out there and get that point."

Going into the match, I think it makes sense to say that not only does Sorenstam need to play in all five sessions, but that she needs to collect 3.5 points to give the Europeans a strong shot at winning back the cup.

Unless Europe gets off to a hot start, with some of its rookies claiming points. Regardless, as Sorenstam pointed out, once the adrenaline gets flowing she'll want to be out there. And if Europe needs her to be out there for the full five, I bet she will be.