WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. - Standing in the center of a sun-drenched 18th green, as waves of cheers rippled from a packed gallery, Annika Sorenstam hugged caddie Terry McNamara and took the flag from his hand.
She held it high, like a conquering hero, then slammed it into the hole.
"It's over," she said.
Sorenstam's tour career ended Friday afternoon, when she failed to qualify for the third round of the ADT Championship. Sorenstam shot a 3-over 75, putting her at 5 over for the week -- two shots from surviving the cut from 32 down to 16 for today, after which the field will be pared in half again before the final-round battle for $1 million.
"All of a sudden, the time is here," she said. "You're standing there on the 18th fairway and it's your last approach shot in an LPGA event. A lot of thoughts go through your head ... and what's been the coolest thing this week is all these people who showed up that I don't know, my fans."
They showed up in droves Friday. When Sorenstam was on the 16th tee, hundreds crowded around her and playing partner Laura Diaz.
Even Lorena Ochoa -- the defending ADT champion, who also didn't advance to the weekend -- showed up at the 18th green to give her friend and rival a farewell hug.
Among those advancing were Katherine Hull, Angela Stanford, Christina Kim, In-Kyung Kim and Paula Creamer.
