Something Extra at U.S. Open

They are not as different as they might seem, Annika Sorenstam and Pat Hurst. Both are roughly the same age, both have had good lives in golf, both shot the same score in 36 holes of playing alongside each other Sunday to finish at par, and both would give anything to win the U.S. Women’s Open playoff today.

They will give everything they have, which, granted, involves a couple of inventories:

Sorenstam is the No. 1 women’s player in the world, Hurst has had a solid but less flamboyant career. Sorenstam, 35, has nine majors and is chasing history; Hurst, 37, has one major and is often chasing a 7- and a 4-year-old.

But they have had some similar paths, including the one that led them to the 18-hole playoff today for the most cherished title in women’s golf. They were together on the 18th green of the Newport Country Club on Sunday, when Sorenstam just missed a 22-foot downhill birdie putt that would have won the Open and Hurst made a four-footer for par that secured the tie.

So for the third consecutive round in 24 hours and 40 minutes, they will share the same ground.

Sorenstam wants to end a drought since she won the second of two consecutive Opens in 1996. “I have a chance to do something that I’ve been waiting to do for a long time,” she said. “I am determined. I have a strong mind and a strong will. You know, this means a lot to me.”

It means just as much to Hurst, who has won U.S. Girls Junior and U.S. Women’s Amateur titles. “Golf-wise, if I quit today, I’d feel very accomplished,” she said. “I’m not the flamboyant type of girl, and I just would rather sit in the back and not be the one who’s sitting up front getting all the attention.”

Neither of them could avoid attention on a sunny, windy and very long day (the field played 36 holes to end a compressed schedule caused by a fog-out Thursday).

Sorenstam shots rounds of 73-71 to finish at even-par 284. Hurst’s scores were 75-69.

Michelle Wie, Se Ri Pak and Stacy Prammanasudh all finished at two-over 286.

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At a glance

Annika Sorenstam and Pat Hurst were tied at even-par 284 after 72 holes. They will play an 18-hole playoff today:

* The finish: Sorenstam’s 22-foot birdie putt lipped out. Hurst saved par from 40 yards short of the green, making a four-foot putt.

* Sorenstam’s record: 67 victories, nine majors, 14-5 in playoffs.

* Hurst’s record: Five victories, one major, 0-3 in playoffs.

* Key statistic: Hurst has made 16 birdies, the most of anyone all week at Newport.

* Noteworthy: All three majors on the LPGA Tour this year have gone to a playoff.

* Quoteworthy: “I want to play. I’m not going to give this up.” -- Sorenstam.

* On TV: Today, 6 a.m. PDT, ESPN.

Source: Associated Press