SINGAPORE (AFP) — Swedish golfing superstar Annika Sorenstam issued a warning Tuesday that she wants her world number one ranking back, but admitted it won't be easy.
Sorenstam, hindered by a ruptured disk in her neck, gave up her position as the top golfer in the world last year to Mexico's Lorena Ochoa, who won eight times on the US LPGA Tour in a breakthrough season.
But the 37-year-old, one of the most successful women golfers ever with 70 career victories, is back in business, winning the first tournament of the season in Hawaii and finishing fourth at the Fields Open last weekend.
Ochoa missed the opening two events but they clash at the inaugural HSBC Women's Champions tournament in Singapore this week, with Sorenstam feeling in fine fettle.
"It will take a lot for me to get back to number one again. I have a lot of catching up to do," said the 10-time Major winner, currently the world number two.
"I'll take it one step at a time but Hawaii was a good first step. There is a long way to go and a lot of hungry players out there.
"But I've definitely got a spring in my step. The neck injury is something I want to forget about. I feel healthy now and I'm happy to be here."
Sorenstam's rivalry with Ochoa is being billed as on a par with the one between men's world number one Tiger Woods and world number two Phil Mickelson.
But while those two reportedly exchange few words, Sorenstam, an eight-time Player of the Year, said it was a very friendly business on the women's tour.
"There's a lot of friendly, respectful rivalries out there and it's great to be a part of it," she said.
Sorenstam and Ochoa spearhead the field at the two million dollar HSBC Champions tournament, the biggest and richest women's golf event ever staged in the region.
Only winners on the LPGA Tour, and champions from the Ladies European Tour and tours in Japan, Korea, Australasia and Asia are eligible.
Dubbed "Asia's major", it gets underway at Tanah Merah Country Club from Thursday.
Ochoa arrived in the city-state early to prepare and said she was not surprised to see Sorenstam bounce back with victory at the SBS Open.
"It is not a surprise that Annika won. I knew she was 100 percent fit and a champion like her wants to win. I was happy for her," said the 26-year-old.
"I didn't play the first two tournaments because I needed time to prepare for Singapore, but I feel ready. It will be a great year. We all want to finish number one."
Suzann Pettersen, the world number three and a five-time winner last year, said that having Sorenstam back winning again was good news for the game.
"I don't think there's a player in the LPGA who isn't delighted to see Annika fit and well and able to play her best golf again," said the Norwegian.
"And I think we're all fascinated to see how this year pans out as it's so tight at the top of the rankings and I'm sure there will be a lot of swapping around. We are all fierce competitors."
The top 15 golfers in the world have made the trip to Singapore with World Golf Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak, last month's Australian Open winner Karrie Webb, and Korean superstar Ji Yai Shin all set to tee off.
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