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Sorenstam, Hurst get the day started / Photo

Journal photo / John Freidah
Annika Sorenstam, left, and Pat Hurst get ready to tee off at the start of today's 18-hole playoff at the Newport Country Club.

Annika Sorenstam and Pat Hurst got their 18-hole playoff started with drives off the first tee just after nine o'clock this morning. The golfers, who were tied at the end of the first, second and third days of action, are even dressed alike today; each has a yellow polo shirt and a white visor. Sorenstam is sporting knee-length gray shorts, while Hurst is wearing black shorts.

The crowd, which has been solidly behind Sorenstam the entire weekend, really gave Hurst a big ovation this morning. Her engaging personality and gritty play seem to be winning people over. But Sorenstam established a two-stroke lead right away with a birdie on the first hole, while Hurst, who has lost two playoffs to Sorenstam in the past, bogeyed.

The winds today are calmer than they have been in the tournament to this point. The USGA is expecting the winds to stay light, and the temperature to top out around 82 degrees about noon.

Both of these women are quick players, so the action today should move at a brisk pace. We may be able to report a winner soon after 1. Unless they tie again after 18 holes.

- Mike McDermott

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 9:51 AM | Permalink

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