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Published on October 25, 2007

Former world No 1 Annika Sorenstam, Morgan Pressel, the youngest winner of an LPGA major tournament, and 'Pink Panther' Paula Creamer are out to explore the tropical experience and challenge the tricky Siam Country Club as the US$1.3 million Honda LPGA Thailand gets underway today.

The three marquee stars launched their practice yesterday and conducted a clinic for VIPs which provided them a feel of the par-72 6,469-yard course with fickle weather.

 Sorenstam, the winner of 10 majors, had been sidelined for most of the season with neck and back injuries. She was in action in just 10 events this year and has managed to finish inside the top 10 in just four of them.

"The injury is healing. It's not an issue anymore.  I'm just happy to be here and playing," said the world No 3 whose last appearance on the Tour was in the LPGA State Farm Classic where she finished third.

"I am excited about the week and will just try to focus on a good start and hopefully will have good results after that," the conqueror of 69 titles said.

With a host of new players currently stealing the limelight on the circuit, Sorenstam sees an uphill task ahead to reclaim the top billing.

"The LPGA is as good as it's ever been. I noticed when I was gone, it's tough to keep up. The key for me is to focus on where I want to be with my golf. The new generation of players are excellent," said the Swede, who is making a debut in the Kingdom. "I wasn't here last year but I've heard good things about this tournament. The course is in superb shape. I'm looking to a fantastic week."

World No 10 Pressel, holder of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, has a liking to the conditions here which remind her of the weather back home in Florida.

"The golf course is a bit tricky, so we needed a little practice round today. I haven't played in warm condition for quite some time. It should be fun," Pressel said.

Creamer, the world No 6 who adores the colour pink, is also a first timer in Thailand. She is chasing her second win this year after starting the season with the victory in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay.

"I'm here for the first time and am enjoying it already. People here are very supportive of women's golf. It's difficult to hit certain parts of the greens here. The most important thing is you have to play your own game," Creamer said.

The field also includes world No 4 Suzann Pettersen, winner in South Korea last week, No 7 Se Ri Pak, No 15 Ai Miyazato and Thai-American Stacy Prammanasudh.

Six local golfers will figure in the tournament. They include local ace Virada Nirapath-pongporn and 11-year-old Ariya Jutanugarn who will become the youngest player on the LPGA Tour.

"I will be nervous again to have a lot of people coming to support me. But I have to get through this if I want to have a future in golf," said Virada who hit a round of two-under par in practice yesterday.

At 11 years, 11 months and two days, Ariya eclipses the previous mark of 12 years , four months and 14 days set by Michelle Wie at the 2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic. Even Pressel was surprised and joked that she felt old with the youngster in the field.

"I'm under a bit of pressure and at the same time quite excited. I drive well but still have to improve my putts. Hopefully I will finish among the top 55," said the sixth-grade student of Treemitr Wittaya school. She will have her 13-year-old sister Moriya as caddy.

"I'm a bit impatient. So I need my sister to help me out there. I will not trade her for any other caddy."

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation

Chonburi