Two-time All-Star pitcher Derek Lowe praises golf legend Annika Sorenstam after playing alongside Nelly Korda in the second round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions did.
“She's clearly the Tiger Woods of the LPGA,” Lowe said of Sorenstam.
Sorenstam won 10 majors during her illustrious career and is widely regarded as the greatest female golfer of all time.
She is competing alongside Lowe in the celebrity division of this week's Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf Club in Orlando, Florida.
Sorenstam, who shot a 4-under 68 on the first day to earn 40 Stableford points, shot a 1-over 73 on Friday. She added another 35 points in the second round for a total of 75 points through 36 holes.
She currently sits atop the leaderboard alongside former NHL All-Star Jeremy Roenick.
“I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can,” Sorenstam said after Thursday's round.
“I think I've competed in 11 of these celebrity events and I was close but didn't finish. I want to continue with what I have, but I don't know how it's going to go.” No one knows. I want to play 72 holes comfortably, and that's what's really important to me right now.”
Lowe, meanwhile, shot a 2-under 70 on Friday and is four points behind Sorenstam and Roenick.
“It was one of the better rounds I've played in these events. I was lucky enough to shoot a 70, which is a little above my pay grade,” Lowe said after the second round. Ta.
“But the biggest thing for me is to drive straight. If I can keep that up, I'll give myself a chance.”
The 2004 World Series champion totaled four birdies on Friday, along with two bogeys.
In the professional matches, former world No. 1 Lydia Ko and 23-year-old Ayaka Furue lead the way with eight under par.
Two strokes behind this pair are Gemma Draibo (Scotland) and Gaby Lopez (Mexico).
Defending champion Brooke Henderson is currently at 5 under, with Korda, Rose Chan and Charlie Hull all at 4 under after 36 holes.
Broadcast of the third round of the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET on Golf Channel and air on NBC at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation's Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
