Golf-Ochoa and Sorenstam set to resume rivalry

Thu May 24, 2007 11:20pm BST
 
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By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES, May 24 (Reuters) - Annika Sorenstam's return from injury at next week's Ginn Tribute in Charleston, South Carolina will reignite one of the most compelling duels in the women's game.

The Swede, sidelined for almost two months with a ruptured disc in her back, has been supplanted as world number one by Mexico's Lorena Ochoa and their rivalry is likely to dominate the rest of the year.

"I think it's going to be fun to see what happens in the next few months," Ochoa, 25, said during a conference call previewing next week's LPGA Tour event at RiverTowne Country Club.

"We know Annika is coming. She's always strong and ready to win, so the competition is going to be tough.

"I do want to compete head-to-head. I'm training hard and I'm ready to play."

Ochoa, who won her 11th LPGA title by three strokes at last week's Sybase Classic, has long been an admirer of Sorenstam, a 10-times major champion.

"I respect her so much," the Guadalajara native said. "She is really the one who changed the game and, because of her, we make sure we work harder.

"She's the one who really motivated me. My dream was to follow her and be at the top, be number one."  Continued...

 

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