Sorenstam was never crazy about the winner-take-almost-everything format when it was created, knowing that someone could get hot for one round and beat her out of the money title. No need to worry about that now.

She has played a career-low 12 times because of her injury, and a tie for third last week moved her up to No. 25 on the money list. It was the first time all year she has strung together three straight top 10s, and Sorenstam is starting to get back into a groove.

Sorenstam has said she has only felt competitive in five tournaments she has played this year, and it's tough enough to win on the LPGA Tour even at 100 percent strength.

"I'm going to play the best I can this week, but it's not do-or-die if I don't win,'' she said. "Like I said, I'm just happy to be here playing. The expectations are a lot more different than they were last year. I've always been one of the favorites coming into this week, but this year is very different. And it's just something I have to accept.''

Remember that rivalry she once had with Karrie Webb? In a way, it's been revived. Webb hasn't won this year, either.

Webb, coming off a year in which she won her seventh major, isn't sure what the future holds for Sorenstam, noting that the Swede is starting to get involved with business ventures, from opening a teaching academy to creating a brand to launching a new Web site.

"If Annika puts her mind to wanting to play good golf, she will,'' Webb said. "I don't doubt that for a second.''

It has been a strange year, indeed, although Sorenstam won't call it a complete bust.

Wearing a neck brace, she opened her academy at the Ginn Reunion Resort in Orlando in April. She is designing two golf courses. And she got engaged. Off the course, it's been one of her best years.

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The question is whether she can find the drive to hit full speed inside the ropes again. She met with all her sponsors last month and told them that she would step away early next year and concentrate fully on golf, quite a concession from someone who is hands-on in just about everything she does.

"I do feel like I have kind of come to the back nine of my career,'' Sorenstam said. I've done a lot, and I'm satisfied in a lot of things. I've achieved so much more than I ever thought I could. Yeah, there are times when I have to kick myself a little bit and go out there, but I think the injury has kind of helped me to spark the interest a little bit again.

"I want to find the top of my game. That's my priority now.''

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