Tourney host Sorenstam says farewell to Swedes

STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- Annika Sorenstam makes a farewell appearance in her native Sweden this week as tournament host of the Scandinavian TPC.

Before Wednesday's pro-am, Sorenstam had never played the course -- Frosoker Golf & Country Club -- although it's only an hour's drive from her parents' hometown north of Stockholm where she grew up and honed her game.

The 37-year-old Swede, who will quit in December to start a family and focus on her business and other golf interests, likes the course.

She also walked the parklands course with her caddie before heading to the practice green.

"The golf course looks good although it was wet after all the rain," she said.

According to the weather forecast, more rain is expected throughout the tournament that starts Thursday.

Sorenstam has won the Ladies European Tour event six times between 1997 and 2006 during which time it was named the Compaq Open, HP Open and Scandinavian TPC Hosted by Annika.

"I'm here to enjoy and play good golf. I will try not to think too much about it being the last time (in Sweden), even though it will be difficult," said Sorenstam, who is grouped with Amy Yang of South Korea and Paula Marti of Italy during the first two rounds.

Among those expected to challenge Sorenstam are her compatriots Maria Hjorth and Sophie Gustafson, ranked 11th and 33rd in the world respectively.

Gustafson, who beat Sorenstam in a playoff to win the 2003 event on another Stockholm course, has three top-10 finishes in 15 starts on the LPGA Tour this year. Hjorth has four top-10 finishes in the same number of tournaments.

Fellow Swedes Linda Wessberg, Louise Friberg and Louise Stahle are also among the favorites along with Anna Nordvist, who was the leading amateur at last week's Women's British Open where Sorenstam tied for 24th in her final major.

Catriona Matthew of Scotland, who won last year, is not defending her title.

Helen Alfredsson of Sweden, the LET money leader who finished runner-up in the U.S. Open and recently won the Evian Masters, is also skipping the tournament and will instead play a men's event in Sweden hosted by ice hockey star Peter Forsberg.

Sorenstam will make her final competitive appearance in Europe in another LET event in Denmark on Sept. 5-7 before making her last start at the Dubai Ladies Masters on Dec. 11-14.