2021 New Jersey Women’s Amateur Champion Gianchandani to Compete in U.S. Women’s Open; Sorenstam Prepared for Return

Photo Credit: USGA/Darren Carroll 

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. – Ami Gianchandani of Watchung shot a 71-69 at the Worcester Country Club on May 12 to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Promedica from June 2-5 at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club.

The 2021 New Jersey Women’s Amateur champion will compete in the 77th edition of the prestigious event. Gianchandani will tee off on Thursday at 2:46 p.m. ET alongside Lauren Hartlage and Julianne Alvarez.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” said Gianchandani following the U.S. Women's Open qualifier conducted by Mass Golf.  “I’m so thrilled to finally be going. I’ve been playing qualifiers like this since 12-13 and hoping every year I get better, and this year’s it’s finally happening.”

Annika Sorenstam returns to Pine Needles, where she won her second U.S. Open in 1996. This time, she makes the trip with her family beside her, who has never seen her compete in an LPGA major.

Sorenstam retired from the LPGA in 2008 to start a family. Now, after winning the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2021, she decided to return to the biggest stage, with a bit of a different perspective.

“I’m cramming in practice on top of already a cramped day. Luckily, I have a good partner, my husband is great, very supportive and helpful with the kids,” explained Sorenstam. “It’s a team effort. I’ve said that all along and this is not necessarily my goals, it’s more family goals, getting back into the game. Our son, Will practices with me all the time, he loves it. Mike is on the bag, and Ava is supportive in her own way. They go to the tournaments, and I love it, they love watching me play.”

Since stepping away from the tour, Sorenstam’s non-profit organization, the ANNIKA Foundation has significantly progressed. The ANNIKA Foundation provides opportunities in women’s golf at the junior, collegiate and professional levels while teaching young people the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition.

On May 12, Sorentstam visited Forsgate Country Club for a golf outing to benefit the ANNIKA Foundation.

“We really want to inspire girls around the world and New Jersey has been good to us,” expressed Sorenstam. “New Jersey has been good for women’s golf, obviously the LPGA ShopRite Classic has been good in a lot of ways.”

She will tee off at 8:50 a.m. ET on Thursday alongside So Yeon Ryu and Ingrid Lindblad.

Thursday and Friday coverage of the U.S. Women's Open will air from 1-3 p.m. ET on Peacock, followed by coverage on USA Network from 3-8 p.m. EDT. Weekend coverage will air across Peacock, USA Network and NBC.

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