Annika calls on Tiger's British Open yardstick

ST ANDREWS, Scotland: Annika Sorenstam is hoping some advice from good friend Tiger Woods will help the Swede claim her 11th major at the Women's British Open starting on Thursday over the Old Course at St Andrews.

Woods has the 2000 and 2005 Opens at St Andrews among his dozen majors and Sorenstam said it would "be almost too hard to describe" if she became the first woman to win a professional event on the historic links.

The Swede, returning to full fitness after an early-season injury scare, has tasted success on the Old Course, winning the St Rule Trophy as an amateur in 1992.

"This is just such a fabulous place and it is a treat to be back here," Sorenstam said. "It's amazing to absorb all the history and I think I appreciate it even more than when I was an amateur."

The 36-year-old Swede was at home in Orlando, Florida, a few weeks ago when near neighbour Woods offered her some insight into the strategy for playing St Andrews.

"He gave me his yardage book, and I was delighted to accept," she said. "He also reminded me that I had to hit it left, practise long putts and stay out of the bunkers."

Sorenstam is determined to regain the world No 1 slot she lost to Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, who herself craves a first major to add to her 12 LPGA victories.

"I thought 2007 was going to be a good year for me to challenge for majors," she said. "I have one more chance and to win here would be extra special."

Ochoa has also called on outside help. Her coach Rafael Alarcon is a former European Tour player and has represented Mexico in the Dunhill Links over the Old Course.

"For the past three or four months we've been working on hitting low shots just to get ready for this week," she said. "To win my first major at St Andrews would be very, very special."

Agencies

(China Daily 08/03/2007 page24)