Associated Press
Wednesday, October 11

VALLEJO, Calif. -- After the acrimony and hard feelings surrounding Europe's victory over the United States in the Solheim Cup last weekend, members of the two squads might benefit from a little time apart.

They won't get it.

Eleven Solheim Cup players are in the 20-player field for the Samsung World Championship of Women's Golf, a four-day event that starts Thursday at Hiddenbrooke Country Club.

The trouble in Scotland started when Swedish star Annika Sorenstam chipped in from about 25 feet for an apparent birdie on the 13th hole. But she was told to replay the shot when the American pair of Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst pointed out she had played out of turn.

Sorenstam broke down in tears on the green. She missed her replayed shot, then berated the Americans for not allowing the shot to stand in the spirit of sportsmanship.

"It is just really sad when you have tournaments like this," Sorenstam said. "It is sad to see that the ugly part of them came out because both Pat and Kelly are the nicest they have. And it is just sad to see that -- that they don't even have sportsmanship."

These unhappy golfers then filed onto an LPGA charter plane on Sunday night and endured a 24-hour flight to San Francisco that included three unplanned stops because of weather. Thankfully, the golfers got two days of rest and pro-am play before Thursday's first round.

The World Championship features 20 players fighting for a $725,000 purse. The invitation-only field includes the year's major champions and several high-ranking players from the money list, as well as leading international players.

Among the player with no stake in the Solheim Sup controversy is Se Ri Pak, the event's defending champ. After eight victories in her first two years on tour, she hasn't won this year.

Pak won last year's event by shooting an 8-under 280 at Rush Creek in Maple Grove, Minn., finishing one shot ahead of Karrie Webb in a tournament dominated more by strong Minnesota winds than quality play.

This is the first of three years the event will be held at Hiddenbrooke, an Arnold Palmer-designed course stretching past a tony Bay Area neighborhood.

Five other past winners are scheduled to play: Sorenstam (1995-96); Juli Inkster (1997-98); Rosie Jones (1988); Betsy King (1989); and Meg Mallon (1991).

Players from the Solheim Cup include Laura Davies, Michele Redman, Janice Moodie, Sherri Steinhauer, Hurst, Robbins, Jones, Inkster, Sorenstam and Mallon.

International player Soo Yun Kang qualified by topping the Korean LPGA money list. Canada's two-time tour winner Lorie Kane also is in the field.

Players making their World Championship debut are Charlotta Sorentam, Sophie Gustafson, Grace Park, Mi Hyun Kim and Cristie Kerr.

The final player is Dorothy Delasin, a 20-year-old native of nearby Daly City who became the youngest player to win on tour in 25 years with her July victory in the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic in Ohio.