INQUIRER Sports

SINGAPORE -- Former world number one Annika Sorenstam faces the woman who ousted her, Lorena Ochoa, for the first time this season in a clash of the titans at the HSBC Champions tournament in Singapore.

Sorenstam, one of the most prolific winners in women's golfing history, suffered a disappointing injury-plagued 2007 but bounced back with victory at the season-opening SBS Open earlier this month.

It was her 70th career title and underlined the world number two is back in business. She followed it up with fourth place at the Fields Open in Hawaii last weekend.

In contrast, Ochoa, who won eight times last season, opted to open her season here at the newly created HSBC Women's Champions -- dubbed the 'Major of Asia' by several top players.

The tournament, with $2 million in prize money at Tanah Merah Country Club, is the biggest and richest women's event staged in the region and has attracted the world's top 15 players.

Only winners on the LPGA Tour, and champions from the Ladies European Tour and tours in Japan, Korea, Australasia and Asia are eligible.

"It's really gratifying to see that the preparation I've done has paid off and now I really want to put '07 behind me and say 'Hey, I'm a contender', and I intend to be all year," said Sorenstam, who has suffered neck problems.

"I think it's going to be easier for the rest of the year for me knowing that I'm swinging great and knowing the desire is there," she said.
And the Swede, the first player to pass $20 million in tournament earnings in LPGA history, is excited at taking on a player who has dominated over the past 12 months.

"Last year I wasn't a contender. Since she's been number one I haven't played well," she said. "I love head-to-head stuff and I'm ready. She's played fantastic golf and I know I have to elevate my game, but that's what this is all about."

Mexico's Ochoa, who stormed onto the scene in earnest last year, is looking forward to swinging her clubs for the first time this season.

"I am excited about playing in Singapore for the first time and I think the HSBC Women's Champions will be a great event on the LPGA Tour," she said.

"I have heard lots of good things about the Garden Course and I am very keen to get my 2008 season off to a strong start so I hope I can put in a good performance," she said.

While Sorenstam and Ochoa's rivalry will be keenly watched, any number of women has the game to tame them.

World number three Suzann Petersen won five times in 2007 and is gunning for more while Australian veteran Karrie Webb and South Korean trailblazer Se Ri Pak can never be ruled out.

Korean superstar Ji Yai Shin, and LPGA 2007 Rookie of the Year Angela Park also play.

And the fifth-ranked Paula Creamer is on fire, closing with three birdies to surge past South Korean Jeong Jang and capture the $1.3 million Fields Open on Saturday.

She is on a roll and has the advantage of playing the Garden Course before as part of Team International in the Lexus Cup, meaning the 21-year-old is comfortable with the climate and layout.

"Mentally, the win last week has helped me a lot, it took a lot off my shoulders. It was huge and I have a lot of momentum," said Creamer.
"This week will be a very big week for me because I am trying to go back-to-back which I've never been able to do before."

The four-day stroke play event mirrors the men's HSBC Champions competition in Shanghai, which was won last year by world number two Phil Mickelson.