Golf-Sorenstam poised for emotional farewell on LPGA Tour

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Sweden's Annika Sorenstam, the dominant figure in women's golf for the past decade, is ready to make a poignant farewell appearance on the LPGA Tour at this week's season-ending ADT Championship.

Sorenstam will also play in the Lexus Cup in Singapore this month before bringing down the curtain on her competitive career at the Dec. 11-14 Dubai Ladies Masters.

Although the 37-year-old Swede intends to retain her ties to the game away from tournament golf, she has prepared for an emotional send-off.

"I'm not really sure how I'll feel or what the emotions will be," Sorenstam told reporters in the build-up to Thursday's first round at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

"It's been very different since I announced my stepping away," added the Swede, who publicly announced in May she would be quitting the game.

"I've not played as well and I don't know if it's because I've been busy getting involved with tournaments, saying goodbye and engaging with fans and sponsors or unconsciously knowing I've made the decision and I'm having a hard time focusing."

BITTERSWEET FEELINGS

Sorenstam, whose career tally of 72 LPGA Tour victories includes 10 major titles, has bittersweet feelings about this week.