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Golf
March 21, 2003
PHOENIX -- Annika Sorenstam wanted to play with the men so she could raise the level of her game. She may need to if her start to the LPGA season is any indication.
Sorenstam opened with a solid 5-under 67 Thursday, only to find herself trailing would-be rivals Se Ri Pak and Karrie Webb after the first round of the Safeway Ping tournament.
Pak shot 7-under 65 and Webb bogeyed her final hole for 66, both serving early notice to Sorenstam that she might have trouble winning 11 times this season.
"They're all chasing who's on top," Sorenstam said.
MADEIRA OPEN: Spain's Jesus Maria Arruti shot 6-under 66 and led the rain-delayed European PGA Tour event by one in Santo Da Serra. Half the field was unable to complete the first round. Morning rain in the Portuguese islands caused a 31/2-hour delay. Arruti was on the first tee when the first thunderstorm hit but returned to record eight birdies and two bogeys.
BIG MONEY: The World Match Play Championship will offer the second-richest prize in golf, increasing its winner's share to $1.56-million. Total prize money for the 12-player tournament scheduled for mid-October at Wentworth in London will be $3.588-million, organizers said.