Thursday, July 6 2006 14:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gladstone: Annika Sorenstam, who is back on top after winning the US Women's Open, will begin play Thursday in the first round of the two million dollar HSBC World Match Play Championship. Fresh off her victory at the US Women's Open, Sorenstam will take on Thailand's Virada Nirapathpongporn on Thursday.

The top seed, Sorenstam, of Sweden, posted a dominating four-shot victory over Pat Hurst in a playoff on Monday to win her third US Women's Open crown and 10th major championship.

Just three days later, she will face the 64th-seeded Virada at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. "It's been a fantastic last few days and to come off a win of such a big event, I couldn't feel any better," Sorenstam said.

"I'm just trying to get my mind set on this week," she said.

Getting focused on this event, no matter how lucrative, could be a bit of a struggle for Sorenstam and a number of players in the field after the US Open.

Fog wiped out the first round at Newport Country Club, forcing a 36-hole finish on Sunday. And with Sorenstam and Pat Hurst seeded 13th having had to play another 18 holes Monday in a playoff, fatigue could certainly be a factor.

However, Sorenstam at least is riding high after another major victory.

"I feel pretty good," Sorenstam said.

"I think when you go through something like this, it's just so much energy and so much adrenaline still that I don't really think about how I feel, if I'm tired or not," he said.



"I feel great. Just happy I guess and that will carry you a long ways," he said.

The second seed is Korean-American Wie, who will meet 63rd seed Candy Hannemann of Brazil.

Wie finished in a three-way tie for third at the US Women's Open and appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough victory.

The Hawaiian teenager has played in four LPGA events this season - including three majors and finished no worse than fifth. Only 16, it is obvious that it's not a matter of if, but when she will win.

"I feel like I'm getting very close, my game feels very solid," Wie said.

"I've been working on my game and I feel like it is getting there. It's becoming more and more solid and hopefully I can break through," he said.

Lorena Ochoa of Mexico, the LPGA Tour money leader, is seeded third and faces No. 62 Il Mi Chung of Korea, while No 4 Karrie Webb of Australia takes on No. 61 Nancy Scranton of the US.

The surprise winner last year, Marisa Baena of Colombia is seeded 37th and plays No. 28 Wendy Ward, the third-place finisher in 2005.

After single rounds Thursday and Friday, the third round and quarterfinals will be played Saturday and the semifinals and final are set for Sunday.