updated 8:09 p.m. ET April 2, 2008

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. - Annika Sorenstam once showed up at Mission Hills wearing red shoes in the final round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, a bold commentary on her confidence more than any kind of fashion statement.

That was in 2002, and when she defended her title that day with a one-shot victory, there was no doubt who ruled women’s golf.

Just like there’s no’s question now.

Those red shoes are now in a trophy case at her golf academy in Florida, and Sorenstam might want to slip them on, click her heels and wish she were home, which for her would be back at No. 1 in the world.

But she is seemingly miles away from Lorena Ochoa, evident not only in the world ranking but in conversation. During a 20-minute interview, Ochoa was asked four questions about Tiger Woods, none about Sorenstam.

It’s almost as if Sorenstam no longer exists.

“I’ve come to the back nine of my career,” Sorenstam said Wednesday on the eve of the LPGA Tour’s first major.

What she could use is a Sunday charge.

Sorenstam won the season-opener at Turtle Bay in Hawaii. She has broken par in all 14 rounds she has played this year. She feels good, looks fit and believes she can become the first four-time winner of the Kraft Nabisco.

But she hasn’t made up any ground.

Ochoa waited until Singapore to make her ’08 debut, then won by 11 shots. In what might be the strongest field of the year on the LPGA Tour last week outside Phoenix, Ochoa missed a half-dozen putts inside 10 feet and still won by seven.

“She’s playing some spectacular golf right now,” Sorenstam said. “I’m just focusing on the things I can control, and that’s my own game things I want to achieve. If I achieve my goals, I think things will fall into place. A good season for me would be several wins, a few majors and just being the best player out here.

“I have high expectations of myself, and I believe I can do it.”

It all starts with a splash, the symbol of a major championship that has become among the most exciting in golf, and not just because the winner traditionally jumps into the lake surrounding the 18th green at Mission Hills.

A year ago, Morgan Pressel played the final 24 holes without a bogey and at 18 became the youngest major champion in LPGA history. Even more stunning was 2006, when Karrie Webb holed out for eagle with a pitching wedge on the 18th fairway, then defeated Ochoa on the first playoff hole with a birdie.

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