Struggling Annika seeks Swede salvation

Annika Sorenstam begins the defence of her own tournament in Sweden tomorrow hoping to salvage a difficult season.

The most successful women’s golfer of her time goes into the Scandinavian TPC as one of the hot favourites despite a 132-strong field of the biggest names from the Ladies European Tour (LET).

With 84 career wins, including 69 with the LPGA and 15 with the LET, it is little wonder that the 36-year-old Swede is expected to challenge on home soil at Barseback Golf Club.

And a win would come as welcome relief in a difficult season during which there have been no additions to her already bulging trophy cabinet.

“I haven’t been on the top lately,” she confessed.

“I had my (back) injury in April and I’ve been free for two months.”

Despite posting top-20 finishes on her only two LET appearances this year – at the Evian Masters (tied-sixth) in July and the Ladies British Open (tied-16th) last week – Sorenstam insists her main objective is to regain her fitness.

“I need to get back the rhythm and I’m closer now,” she added.

“I want to be free of injuries to start with and then play the same. I don’t have any pain at the moment and that’s the most important thing. I can train as much as I want.”

The effect of the home support is likely to be an extra boost for Sorenstam, who has the incentive of knowing that a victory this week would be her sixth TPC title and third consecutive win at the tournament.

“It’s actually great to be back. Barseback is a fantastic place,” she said.

“I’ve got some great memories. I don’t get too many opportunities to come back to Sweden so I’m enjoying it.”

A glance down the list of entrants, however, reveals a number of in-form players ready to challenge Sorenstam for her title.

Among them is Sweden’s Maria Hjorth, whose joint-second finish at the first ever Women’s British Open at St Andrews last week shot her to the top of the New Star Money List and into contention for a spot in this year’s European Team for The Solheim Cup.

“I brought a lot of self-confidence away from last week,” the 33-year-old from Falun said.

“I feel able to compete at the top with the best players. I feel more confident and it’s good to be in contention.

“I feel like everything has improved – my driving, my iron shots, my putting. My long putter has really changed my game. I don’t think I’ve ever been as good as I am right now.”

Hjorth is one of 32 Swedes to be playing in the tournament.

Compatriots Sophie Gustafson, Catrin Nilsmark, Cecilia Ekelundh, Carin Koch, Linda Wessberg and Sorenstam’s younger sister Charlotta are also set to tee-off tomorrow.

And top players from the LPGA Tour, Brittany Lincicome, Laura Diaz and Stacy Prammanasudh, are also appearing alongside a host of well-known European names such as Suzann Pettersen of Norway, Catriona Matthew from Scotland and Gwladys Nocera of France.

The first groups will tee-off at 8am tomorrow, with Sorenstam due out on the course alongside Pettersen and Lincicome 20 minutes later.