NAPLES, Fla. – Anna Nordqvist shot a 65 on the Gold Course at Tiburon Golf Club on Thursday in the first round of the CME Group Tour Championship. It’s not about the golf, although the golf is great, but the effort it takes to get there after a nightmare run off the golf course.
In August, Nordqvist revealed on Instagram that she and Kevin McAlpine were divorcing.Last month, McAlpine’s father Hamish confirmed courier His son died suddenly at the age of 39. McAlpine has caddied for several players on the LPGA since making her first start alongside Lexi Thompson at the 2017 Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns.
“I didn’t play well,” Nordqvist told the media after finishing at 7 under in Naples. “Going through a lot of ups and downs, just trying to work hard.”
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Nordqvist, 36, decided to play the final two events of the LPGA schedule in Florida two weeks ago. The weekend before the “Annika” game, she was working out with a coach in Arizona and could only hit three balls in class before she was out of breath.
Two days ago, she got so dizzy during practice that she thought she was going to faint.
“The fact that I finished four rounds last week,” Nordqvist said, “I’m really proud of myself. “It feels like a win. “
Solheim Cup captain Suzann Pettersen and her husband came to the 18th green at Tiburon Golf Club to offer support. On Monday, Nordqvist, two points behind leaders Running Yin and Nasa Hataoka, had dinner with her Solheim Cup partner Leona Maguire. These small gestures mean a lot to Nordqvist.
“Anna is probably one of the strongest people I know,” Maguire said. “She’s been through a lot and handled it more gracefully than a lot of people.”
Team Europe’s Anna Nordqvist interacts with young fans during training ahead of the Solheim Cup at Finca Cortesin Golf Club. February 20, 2023 in Casares, Spain. (Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Nordqvist has an old friend and caddy, Jason Gilroyed, who lives with a local family who has welcomed her in recent years.
The three-time Grand Slam winner said her body has never been the same since she was diagnosed with mononucleosis in 2017. She enjoys practicing but has also discovered her limits, especially during this emotionally difficult time.
“My spirit was definitely exhausted and my heart wasn’t there,” she said. “A few weeks ago, I think I hit a nine-foot putt that was about six feet away and missed it. It’s hard when your head isn’t there. It’s really hard to play. “You just I don’t recognize myself anymore. “