GOLF Sorenstam is relaxed for Skins Game

She said the attention she received for The Colonial caught her by surprise.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Annika Sorenstam is going against three men this time -- not an entire PGA field -- in the conclusion of what she calls the best year of her Hall of Fame career.
She faces Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples and defending champion Mark O'Meara in the $1 million Skins Game this weekend.
Sorenstam is the first woman to play in the 21-year history of the 18-hole, made-for-television event. But it's a far cry from the media spectacle her appearance created at The Colonial in May, when she became the first woman in 58 years on the PGA Tour.
"This is a little bit more relaxed atmosphere, obviously," Sorenstam said Friday. "I mean, The Colonial took me by surprise. I didn't really expect all that attention. But I learned so much that week. Here, I just want to play my best."
All three of her male opponents were effusive in their praise of Sorenstam, none more so than Mickelson.
More tournaments
"I'd like to see her play five, six, seven events on the men's tour, and really give it a shot, rather than just one tournament," he said. "In one tournament, it's kind of hard to know where you stack up. I know that's not what her intentions are, but that's too bad, because I think it would be really great for golf in general."
No thanks, Sorenstam said.
"Maybe if I was here to compare with them, I would need to play many tournaments, but that's not what I'm trying to do," she said. "These guys are so much better. I want to play on my tour. I want to win tournaments. I want to be in contention on Sunday and break records, and I know I have a tour to do that."
After four years at the Landmark Golf Club, the Skins Game was moved this year to the Trilogy Golf Club, which opened in February, and the wide-open, par-72, 7,113-yard layout should provide plenty of opportunities for birdies and more than a few eagles.
Sorenstam played all 18 holes in a practice round Thursday.
"I could reach three of the par 5's in two," she said. "I know these guys will hit shorter irons than I will, but I might have an eagle putt and I might have a chance."
Holes one through six are worth $25,000 each, seven through 12 $50,000 apiece, 13 through 17 $70,000 each, with the 18th a "Super Skin" worth $200,000. If no one wins a skin on a hole, the money is added to the following hole. The golfers give 20 percent of their earnings to charity.
The first nine holes will be played today, and the final nine Sunday.
Woods engaged
Tiger Woods and his Swedish girlfriend, Elin Nordegren, are engaged.
The golfer's agent, Mark Steinberg of IMG, confirmed the couple's engagement to The Associated Press on Friday but declined to give details.
"She called this morning and was incredibly happy," Nordegren's father, Thomas, told the Swedish newspaper Expressen. "I only spoke shortly with them on the telephone but they were happy and I congratulated them."