Annika Sorenstam Wants Showdown with Tiger Woods

After continuing an all-conquering run on the LPGA Tour with an amazing fifth win of the season in the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship in Atlanta, Annika Sorenstam turned her attention to Tiger Woods.

"I would love to play against him,'' admitted the 30-year-old after she had beaten fellow Swede Sophie Gustafson at the second hole of a sudden-death play-off at Eagles Landing.

"I like playing the guys. It's fun to see how they approach and play the game. I would love to take him on in an exhibition or whatever.''

This season, Sorenstam is being spoken of in the same reverential tones as Woods.

While Karrie Webb may still be the official world number one -- and the Australian did successfully defend the Nichirei Cup on the Japan LPGA Tour Sunday -- the Swede is definitely the player the rest all have to beat.

In eight LPGA starts, she has won five times and finished second twice.

She heads the money list with $939,688 -- more than double the amount earned by second place South Korean (news - web sites) Pak Se Ri -- and the latest winner's check for $180,000 has put made her the first woman to earn over $7 million.

This season's many highlights include a second round of 59 in the Standard Register PING in Phoenix in March and the first major, the Nabisco Championship, was included in a run of four successive wins.

Sorenstam, who joined the circuit in 1994 and has already amassed enough points to be included in the Hall of Fame, now has 28 LPGA titles and is well on course to scoop all the end of season honors.

It is an improved fitness schedule and hours of hard work on her game, her putting in particular, that have lifted Sorenstam into a class of her own, and she admitted: "I'm overwhelmed by the start I've made this year, but I'm thankful that all the hard work has paid off.

"I'm not going to say how many tournaments I'd have to win to meet my goal this year, but I am on the right track.''

She agreed that there are comparisons to be made with Woods. ''We've both won one major this year, and comparing victories and scoring averages I think I'm doing pretty well.

"But you can't compare the prize money and it is still very early in the season.''

However, the ultimate would be to emulate Woods and hold all four majors. "I've certainly thought about the Grand Slam, and I definitely think I could win all four in one year.''