Lure of Sun City brought Sorenstam to World Cup

By Craig Ray

SUN CITY, South Africa (Reuters) – The prospect of playing
at Sun City lured Annika Sorenstam, the world’s number one, to
the Women’s World Cup of Golf.

Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann are representing Sweden at
the 20-nation event and will start as favourites at the par-72
Gary Player Country Club on Friday.

“I heard a lot about Sun City and I’ve always wanted to
come to South Africa,” Sorenstam told reporters.

“I heard a lot of good things about last year (when the
tournament was played at The Links course at Fancourt) and I
felt like this was a tournament I didn’t want to miss.”

Sorenstam is making her first trip to South Africa and her
first appearance at the World Cup of Golf, which is
co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Ladies
Professional Golf Association (LPGA).

The teams will compete over three rounds in better-ball
strokeplay on Friday, foursomes on Saturday and individual
strokeplay on the final day. The team with the combined lowest
score after 54 holes will win the trophy.

Holders Japan are represented by last year’s leading
individual player Ai Miyazato and debutant Sakura Yokomine
while the U.S. team of Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer will
pose a big threat to Sweden.

But all eyes are on the world number one, who won 10 titles
in 2005, including two majors, to take her career majors tally
to nine since turning pro in 1994.

The high expectations of Sweden have increased the pressure
on the team and Neumann admitted to feeling slightly stressed.

“I think the pressure will change things,” Neumann said.
“You feel a little different than going out to play for
yourself because it’s for your country and a team mate.

“But at the same time it’s a fun kind of pressure because
it’s an honor to play for Sweden.”

The Gary Player course, which hosts the men’s annual Sun
City Golf Challenge, was in superb condition and heavy seasonal
rain has ensured that the rough will be brutal.

“I like this golf course,” Sorenstam said. “I played 18
holes and it seems like I’m hitting every club in my bag.

“The grass is a lot thicker than we are used to, especially
around the green. If you miss by a foot or two you are left
with some tricky shots. I think that is going to be the key
this week.”

The winning team will receive $220,000 out of a purse of
$1.1 million.