Champions begin with fun pro-am challenge at Thanksgiving Point

LEHI — Annika was there, along with her sister Charlotta. So was Jack and two of his sons.

It was the first day of the Sorenson Champions Challenge at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club with Annika Sorenstam and Jack Nicklaus as the headliners in the 11th annual event.

Monday is the fun day with the big-name golfers participating in a pro-am event. On Tuesday, 12 two-person teams will compete for a $485,000 purse with $100,000 going to the winning team.

Several of the golfers visited the media room before their rounds Monday, including Utah Jazz point guard Deron Williams, who was playing in Monday's pro-am and will play Tuesday in special "celebrity pairing" with sponsor Jim Sorenson, comedian Gary Mule Deer, professional Joe Taggert and amateur Steele DeWald.

Williams said he is about an 18-handicapper, but might be more like a 25 right now. He said his best score is 84, but can also shoot a 105.

"I'm nervous," Williams said. "I'm just worried about that first tee shot. After that, I'll be all right."

Williams said he was happy to help out the event and the charities.

"Anytime you can do something like this to help out, I'm all for it," he said.

Sorenstam, who is retiring from competitive golf after this year, is happy to be playing the Challenge for the second time.

"Today is a relaxing day," she said. "It's nice to catch up with the other players."

Before the U.S. Open playoff began between Tiger Woods and Rocco Mediate Monday morning, Nicklaus was asked about whether he was rooting for Woods to break his record of 18 major victories.

"Not particularly," Nicklaus replied, to laughter. "But I'm not going to root against him. I like him."

One golfer missing Monday was host Johnny Miller, who was in San Diego working on the telecast of the U.S. Open playoff.