Sorenstam preparing for PGA Tour event

Annika Sorenstam plans a practice round at Colonial in the next few months, and she's gearing up for the PGA Tour by playing the back tees on her home course against the men.

Sorenstam has a sponsor's exemption to play in the Colonial on May 22-25 in Fort Worth, Texas, making her the first woman in 58 years to compete on the PGA Tour.

Sorenstam said Wednesday that she played two weeks ago with German Sven Struver, a three-time winner on the European tour who lives at Lake Nona Golf Club.

Who won?

"We only played nine holes," Sorenstam said. "He was about 20 to 25 yards ahead of me. But we both hit the green, we both had birdie putts. It didn't change much, except I'm hitting first."

Sorenstam is playing against some of the male teaching pros at Lake Nona.

"I do notice that I can't reach the par 5s in two," she said. "I'm laying up to my distance, 80 yards, which is how I played two or three years ago.

"The par 3s are longer, but I enjoy that. It makes you a complete golfer if you hit all the clubs in your bag."

Sorenstam will start her season next week in Phoenix, then go to the Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the year. She is the two-time defending champion.

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