Sorenstam ready to do battle

Swedish star Annika Sorenstam will try to defy the doubters when she tees up in the Bank of America Colonial event tomorrow.

The women’s world number one has been the centre of attention since she accepted the invitation to play in February – making her the first woman in 58 years to compete in a PGA Tour event.

There has been approval from some quarters, notably world number one Tiger Woods, and there has been criticism from others in the form of Vijay Singh and Nick Price.

But as early morning tee off time approaches, Sorenstam insists all she aims to do is challenge herself – and she is feeling confident.

“I’m just here to test myself, kind of get a feel for the water here and learn from the experience,” she said.

“The closer I come to Thursday, the less pressure I feel.”

Sorenstam won 13 times worldwide last year and will qualify for the Hall of Fame at the end of this season.

Another victory this week would be a miracle and Sorenstam knows making the cut would be a fantastic effort.

“I feel like I’m hitting the ball as good as I have all year. I’m peaking at the right time, and when I leave on Sunday, I’ll know what I’ve got to work on,” she said.

“I’m very optimistic that I will leave Sunday,” she said, confident she would not miss the cut.

“I believe under normal circumstances or good conditions on this course I can shoot level par. And whatever that would place me, I have no idea.

“This is a very tricky golf course, don’t get me wrong,” added Sorenstam, a renowned shot-maker.

“But it’s a golf course where strength and distance are not as important as all the other tournaments the guys play.”

Her appearance will make her the first woman to compete on the men’s tour since Babe Zaharias played all four rounds at the 1945 Los Angeles Open.