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Sorenstam back to where she belongs

Aurora (Illinois) May 30 . Annika Sorenstam, whose excursion to the PGA Tour made history and headlines last week, is back where she wants to be this week, defending a title on the LPGA Tour.

The world's best female player returns to the site where she tied an LPGA record for largest margin of victory in a 54-hole event at the $1.2 million Kellogg-Keebler Classic.

Sorenstam thrust herself in the national spotlight last week when she teed it up with the men at The Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas, becoming the first woman to compete in a PGA Tour event in more than 58 years.

After shooting a one-over-par 71 and a 75, Sorenstam earned the support of spectators and players with her performance.

However it was not enough to make the cut and Sorenstam said afterwards she was anxious to ``get back where I belong'' on the LPGA Tour.

``I didn't go there to prove anything,'' Sorenstam said. ``This is where I play. This is where I belong. I want to win tournaments and have a good experience, and the experience I got last week is sure going to help me to do that on this tour.''

Sorenstam won 11 tournaments last year, including a staggering 11-stroke victory in last year's inaugural event here.

Sorenstam fired a nine-under-par 63 here in the first round last year for her second-lowest score of the season — only a 10-under 62 at Portland's Safeway Classic was better.

She followed with a 67 and closed with a 65 to finish at 21-under 195. Michele Redman, Mhairi McKay and Danielle Ammaccapane finished tied for second at 10-under.

Sorenstam did a taping for the Oprah Winfrey Show on Wednesday and did not go through her regular practice routine this week.

``I haven't practiced too hard the last few days, but I feel good about my game,'' Sorenstam said.

``I mean I hit the ball so well at the Colonial, I'm not worried about that. Right now, I've got to get used to the course again, the feel for the greens and so forth. Other than that, I'm ready to go.''

Six other 2003 tournament winners — Wendy Doolan, Juli Inkster, Rosie Jones, Candie Kung, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc and Grace Park — are in the field along with Hall of Famers Amy Alcott and Betsy King.

Inkster matched the lowest final-round score in LPGA history, shooting a course-record 10-under-par 62 at the Corning Classic last Sunday to register her 29th career win.

The 42-year-old Inkster set a tournament record with a 24-under 264 for a four-shot victory over Canadian Lorie Kane.

It was Inkster's first title since she overcame Sorenstam in the final round to capture last year's U.S. Open and gave her at least one win in seven straight years.

The par-72 layout is 6,413 yards. The first prize is worth $180,000. — AFP

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