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 But the surest way to stop taking that success for granted is when health woes enter the equation. In Sorenstam's case, a ruptured disk in her neck began troubling her in the middle of 2006 and lingered long enough that she went winless last year. Her struggles, coupled with Lorena Ochoa's dominant eight-win '07 campaign, led to Sorenstam's fall from the top of the Rolex women's world rankings. She slid down to fourth, well behind Ochoa, whose efforts gave her a Tiger-esque edge over the competition. Although Ochoa could take a year-long vacation and still potentially hold onto the No. 1 ranking, Sorenstam quickly proved she was up for reclaiming that spot last month in Hawaii by recording her 70th career LPGA Tour win in the SBS Open at Turtle Bay, the first American event on the 2008 schedule. "I really want to put '07 behind and say, 'Hey, I'm a contender, and I intend to be that all year,'" said Sorenstam, who went on to finish fourth at the Fields Open a week later. Two other storylines should add some sizzle to the LPGA slate: What's up with Michelle Wie? Michelle Wie generated almost nothing but negative headlines last year. The 18-year-old had a few notorious tournament withdrawals, including bolting the U.S. Women's Open after going 17-over par through 27 holes. And of course, the controversy continued to swirl as to whether she deserved exemptions in men's professional events. But like Sorenstam, Wie was nowhere near 100 percent healthy last year because of wrist problems. She also had to deal with the transition of enrolling as a student while still honing her game at Stanford University. Prior to making her 2008 debut at the Fields, Wie seemed like she had moved on from 2007. "I feel like everything is coming back into place," she said. "I feel a lot better as an athlete, and I'm just going to think about the present this year." A 69 in her opening round was a great start, but she ended up tying for last among golfers who made the cut. Wie hasn't accomplished much as a professional, but right now there's still probably no more recognizable figure in women's golf than her. Which American will rise? While Sorenstam's track record and return to health again make her a contender for usurping Lorena Ochoa, there is still no American who has consistently shown the ability to be No. 1. It could be 21-year-old Paula Creamer, who won the Fields Open with a scintillating 66 in the final round. Or maybe Natalie Gulbis, who is out to prove her first career victory at the 2007 Evian Masters wasn't a fluke. It might even be Nicole Castrale. The Palm Desert resident proved she could handle Ochoa head-to-head when she won a sudden-death playoff against her at the Ginn Tribute last season. If the momentum from that victory and her clutch performance at the Solheim Cup carries over into this season, Castrale certainly could become a name that resonates as much as Creamer and Gulbis. But right now, Ochoa remains in the driver's seat and definitely isn't seeing anyone from the United States close in her rearview mirror. |
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