Anna Nordqvist, 24, Sweden, has been in the top 10 of the world since turning professional in 2009. The former collegiate player at Arizona State beat Tiger Woods in a playoff to win last season’s Women’s British Open at Turnberry. “I don’t know if I’m surprised at how fast my game has picked up,” Nordqvist said at Royal Lytham & St. Annes in the leadoff match at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club this week. “I like the way that I carry my golf ball, and it feels good.”
On their wives: “I married my golfing best friend, so the relationship between us is really special. She brought so much confidence to my game and has gotten me to focus so hard on my golf.” —Nordqvist on her wife, Kathy, a former LPGA Tour caddie and now a media relations director for Royal Lytham & St. Annes. “Very helpful. Of course, she helped so much, the women in general really help her out with her clubs.” —On being paired with two caddies, with her husband to her right and 17-year-old daughter during the first two rounds and with her husband’s caddie on Saturday and Sunday. “It’s hard — you know, so different. And he doesn’t quite know the course at all yet, but we had a lot of fun.” —On the preparations she had made with her caddie before arriving. “We have a little family movie or something like that.” —On her children.
On future plans: “We’re just going to go try to make as many cuts, make as many money — hopefully get into the LPGA playoffs for the first time. Hopefully, she’ll be competing in as many tournaments and make more money than she ever did before.” —On her goals for her wife and daughter.