Former LPGA star Stephenson plans appearance in men's event

JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) -- Months after Annika Sorenstam played in a men's tournament, Jan Stephenson could do the same.
Stephenson's agent said Thursday he was working out details of an invitation for the former LPGA star to play in the Turtle Bay Championship on the Champions Tour in Hawaii Oct. 6-12.
"Discussions are in the final stages with just a few particulars to finalize," C.J. Roberts said. "We're on board ready to go."
Roberts said he expects a formal announcement to be made next month.
Calls to a Champions Tour spokesman Thursday night were not returned.
No novelty
If Stephenson does play in the men's senior event, she would follow Sorenstam's historic appearance at the Colonial on the PGA Tour last month. Though she didn't make the cut, Sorenstam, the first woman to play in a tour event in 58 years, created a frenzy among the media and galleries and endeared herself to fans around the world.
Suzy Whaley, a Connecticut club pro, will play in the Greater Hartford Open in July. Teenage phenom Michelle Wie has accepted a sponsor's exemption to play on the Nationwide Tour in September, and has also been invited to play a stop on the Canadian Tour.
Stephenson, 51, who at the height of her career was one of the most glamorous stars on the LPGA Tour, is playing in the Hy-Vee Classic just north of Des Moines this weekend. The tournament is the first of three this year on the Women's Senior Golf Tour.