Associated Press
Wednesday, September 27

NEW ALBANY, Ohio -- Annika Sorenstam can't wait. She gets her shot at Karrie Webb.

"I'm fired up," Sorenstam said. "I don't like being in second place, and for me to have a chance to beat Karrie, I've got to put in the time and I've got to play some flawless golf. I really think I'm on the right track."

The two go at each other beginning Thursday at the New Albany Golf Classic, the second year of the $1 million tournament. Last year, Sorenstam won and proceeded to turn around her season.

Despite raw, windy weather, she birdied six of the last nine holes of her second round, giving her the lead she never lost. She went on to shoot 19-under 269 and win by three strokes over Mardi Lunn.

It started a streak that has carried over to five victories this year -- one fewer than Webb.

"When I came to Columbus and the way I played, that was the best I'd played in a really long time," Sorenstam said. "I realized how much I enjoyed playing well. It was so much fun, and I just wanted to go back to work and grind and play like this all the time, because I love being in the top spot."

Sorenstam will have to work hard to defeat Webb, whose six wins include two majors -- the Nabisco Championship and the U.S. Women's Open. Webb has earned more than $1.6 million, about $500,000 more than Sorenstam.

"I've really had a good year," Webb said. "I've played very consistently and I've been in contention a lot. And that's all I can ask, just to give myself as many chances as I can and try to close the deal."

Sorenstam finished fourth at last weekend's Safeway Golf Championship in Portland, Ore. Webb skipped the event to attend the Olympics in her native Australia.

"I told my husband when we got here that I love this golf course," Sorenstam said. "It really fits my game."

Others are caught up in the Sorenstam-Webb budding rivalry, too. It's what LPGA fans and players are talking about.

"They're creating a rivalry that the men's tour is starving for," said Meg Mallon, who played at nearby Ohio State. "They're the best at being focused of anyone out there. They are the Martina and Chrissie of women's golf."

Several players, including Sorenstam and Mallon, also will be using New Albany to tune up for next week's Solheim Cup in Scotland.

Beth Daniel, a member of the U.S. team, said playing conditions could mirror conditions at the Loch Lomond course in Scotland.

New Albany has absorbed more than 3 inches of rain since Saturday. Temperatures in the 60s are forecast for the rest of the week.

"I think the conditions here are pretty similar to what we might see over there," Daniel said. "Very wet, not a lot of roll and a little bit on the chilly side."