WORLD'S BEST PLAYER Annika Sorenstam prepares with fun in the Florida sun

She won't arrive here until tonight, and won't have time for a practice round.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- Annika Sorenstam was 1,000 miles from Youngstown on Wednesday, and her mind was a million miles from golf.
"Mentally, I'm tired," Sorenstam said in a teleconference from her home in Orlando, Fla. "Physically, I feel fine. But that's why I'm trying to do other things to get my mind off golf."
It's also why she was in Florida on Wednesday, and not playing a practice round at Squaw Creek to get ready for this weekend's Giant Eagle LPGA Classic.
"I just returned home from the mall, trying to spend my money," she said with a laugh, "and I wakeboarded for five hours.
"Stuff like that keeps my mind fresh."
Not to worry -- she's still coming to the tournament.
It's just that after being the first woman in 50 years to play a PGA event and winning last week's McDonald's LPGA Classic -- her fifth major victory and second straight tournament win -- she needed a break.
Break's over. She arrives tonight.
"It's about time that I go to Youngstown," said Sorenstam, the No. 1 ranked women's player in the world.
Five years ago
The last -- and only -- time Sorenstam played in Youngstown was in 1998 at Avalon Lakes. She finished tied for ninth place. She's never played at Squaw Creek.
Is she worried? Nope.
"I've got a good caddy," she said. "He's out walking the golf course right now."
The only other time Sorenstam played a tournament without a practice round was the Firstar LPGA Classic in May 2000 in Dayton.
"I believe I won," she said.
She did, shooting 66-65-66.
Grueling month
Sorenstam committed to this weekend's tournament months ago, but didn't make it official until last week. The last month has been grueling for Sorenstam and after playing two rounds on Sunday -- including a sudden death playoff -- there was speculation that she might skip this weekend's tournament.
There was no substance to those rumors, she said.
"Well, from my side, I intended to play this event a long time again," she said. "I had every intention of coming."
Sorenstam will be paired with former champion Se Ri Pak on Friday, but said she doesn't pay attention to the field.
The field, however, does pay attention to her.
"I really have to play good," Pak said. "She's a great player and mentally, it makes me stronger. You have to have great focus to play against her."
Sorenstam will take next week off and will then play in the ShopRite LPGA Classic, followed by the U.S. Women's Open -- the third major of the year. She can complete the Grand Slam with a victory in the Weetabix British Open in late July.
"I've tried to take my game to a different level," she said. "I love to play well in majors and that keeps me motivated."
But she's not overlooking this weekend's tournament.
"No, not at all," she said. "Every tournament is obviously important to me. Obviously, some are considered high profile, but if I didn't feel like I was ready to play or ready to go, I wouldn't go. I feel like it's an important tournament."
scalzo@vindy.com