Inbee Park wasn't the only winner at this year's U.S. Women's Open, even though she took home the title and $585,000 in first-prize money.

Although disappointed by her 24th place finish, Annika Sorenstam's bittersweet victory came Sunday afternoon when she holed a 199-yard, 6-iron for eagle on the par-5 18th hole. It was a poetic ending for the final shot of what might be her last Open.

An in-ground plaque honoring Annika's memorable finish is a hot topic among Interlachen members. If approved, the placement could very well be near the plaque commemorating another historic shot at the course--Bobby Jones skipping the ball across the same pond Annika's soared over. He made birdie there en route to winning the 1930 U.S. Open, the third leg of his Grand Slam.

Another winner is the course itself. Set on rolling, wooded terrain, Interlachen Country Club opened with nine holes designed by Willie Watson in 1911. A decade later it was redone as an 18-hole venue, this time by Donald Ross. There were revisions by Robert Trent Jones in 1963. Brian Silva did some tweaking for this Open, renovating all 90 sand traps, running fairway bunkers perpendicular, extending them into the driving areas and narrowing several fairways.

PGA Master professional Jock Olson, the head pro at Interlachen since 1994, said "the course was set up for players to make some good numbers. The fact that only one person [Inbee Park] was under par for all four rounds is amazing." Olson had predicted that six under par would be the winning score, so he feels vindicated by Park's 72-hole score of nine-under 283 that won by four shots.

Touted by the USGA as the longest course in U.S. Women's Open history at 6,789 yards, par 73, Interlachen never played to that yardage. Tees were moved up and back and alternate tees were used when the setup warranted. As Olson pointed out, "The tee on No. 18 was kept up so players wouldn't be tempted to drive down the 10th fairway."

A unique feature of the design is its flexibility. Hole No. 7 can be played from a back tee at 316 yards, which it was for Thursday's and Friday's rounds. But on the weekend the forward tee at 248 yards was in play. It forced players to decide if they should go for the green. But the challenges of the hole, a tree right of the green, a bunker left and a green that slopes from back to front required a perfectly executed draw. No matter the tee, not a single eagle was recorded on the seventh during the competition. However, there were 18 birdies on Saturday and 19 on Sunday.

Interlachen, the site of six major championships in the last 78 years, has no plans for a future event. But that's not to say the club wouldn't welcome a national or international event. The only one it can't handle is the U.S. Open. "Not enough length or corporate space," says Olson, "but another Women's Open or a Senior Open are possibilities."

--Topsy Siderowf

(Photo: Darren Carroll)

EDINA, Minn. -- Official rounds at the U.S. Women's Open don't start until Thursday, but Annika Sorenstam is already drawing some of the biggest crowds at Interlachen Country Club. A gallery of about 1,000 followed Sorenstam during Wednesday's practice round, and she appeared to have her game in prime shape for her 15th, and possibly last, Open. Sorenstam announced last month that she'll retire from competitive golf at the end of 2008.

Annika coordinated her practice rounds with her tee times, playing Tuesday afternoon as she will on Thursday and early Wednesday as she is scheduled to play on Friday. Following inside the ropes were two Minneapolis policemen taking a week's vacation to volunteer their services. Only Annika and Lorena Ochoa get two security officers this week. Natalie Gulbis, Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie are among the players assigned a single officer.

Also walking with Annika was Henri Reis, her longtime coach, giving pointers every now and then. Reis says he's pleased with the way Annika is playing right now and especially with how well she has come back from last year's neck injury with only a slight loss in distance.

Also in her gallery was Mike McGee, Sorenstam's fiance. When asked if Annika would play in future Women's Opens, McGee said she doesn't like to do anything halfway, so if she can't prepare to her standards, he didn't think she would want to play.

Annika was gracious to autograph seekers, signing at almost every hole. To a gentleman who asked her to sign his cap for the "old guy," she said, good-naturedly, "Catch me at the next hole."

Sorenstam looked very appealing in her magenta shorts and orange shirt with magenta stripes, complemented by an orange cap. Sorenstam spent time earlier this week signing apparel in the merchandise tent, and word is that much of the apparel in her line with Cutter & Buck was nearly sold out.

--Topsy Siderowf

Rory Sabbatini reaffirmed his role as the anti-Tiger by withdrawing from the Target World Challenge before yesterday's final round, suffering not only from shin splints, but a 28-stroke deficit after 54 holes. Tiger Woods tied the tournament record of 22 under to win in a seven-stroke cakewalk at Sherwood C.C., but the hot topic afterward was Sabbatini.

For serving as Woods' most vocal pest over the last six or seven months, Sabbs has taken a beating in the media. This latest episode proves no different, although an independent thinker can only wonder: Has kissing Tiger's derriere helped anyone actually beat the game's best player?

Speaking of the game's best players, Annika Sorenstam's victory Sunday in Dubai prevented her first winless season since 1993. Ron Sirak caught up with the LPGA's former No. 1 after her victory at the Dubai Ladies Masters.

HALMSTAD, Sweden--Healthy again and hitting the ball better than at any time since before she was diagnosed last April with a ruptured disc in her neck, Annika Sorenstam returned home to Sweden this week with an engagement ring and her sights set on a wedding day--but not before making one more run at trying to reclaim the No. 1 spot among women golfers she held for more than five years. Sorenstam and her finance, Mike McGee, are looking toward April 2009 as the big day, and that can mean only one thing: Sorenstam will throw all her effort into making 2008 a special season.

"It was really a special surprise," Sorenstam said Wednesday at Halmstad Golfklubb, where the Solheim Cup begins Friday, speaking about McGee's proposal last month. "There is just so much wonderful stuff happening in my life right now." Sorenstam, who turns 37 next month, opened her golf academy at the Reunion Resort this past spring, launched a website, annikasorenstam.com, and is involved in some golf course design projects. And at the State Farm Classic in Illinois two weeks ago she played her best post-injury golf, finishing T-3 at 14 under par, including rounds of 65 and 67. For the week she hit 46 of 54 fairways and 58 of 72 greens.

"I'm probably as good as I've been in a year and a half," Sorenstam said. "I had a really good showing at Springfield. I'd like to say I'm 100 percent. But I can say I have a lot to smile about off the golf course."

--Ron Sirak

Annika Sorenstam, who has expanded her career horizons beyond competitive golf into the business world, took another step in that direction this week by launching her Web site annikasorenstam.com. Earlier this year she opened her golf academy at the Reunion Resort in Orlando and she has already begun work on golf course design projects, as well as working with Cutter & Buck on a clothing line.

It is an indication of the Hall of Famer's modesty that with 84 wins worldwide -- 69 on the LPGA Tour -- and 10 major championships, she did not have a Web site until now. Certainly, "celebrities" who have accomplished a lot less have gone electric.

Among the site's features are detailed stats from Sorenstam's career and information about her upcoming schedule and latest happenings. Fans can also find golf and fitness tips from Sorenstam as well as her favorite recipes.

--Ron Sirak