Aurora (Illinois), Jun 02: Annika Sorenstam said when she returned to the LPGA Tour that she was back where she belonged, and she certainly looked right at home yesterday as she cruised to her second straight Kellogg-Keebler Classic title.
The Swedish star pulled away early from playing partner Mhairi Mckay of Scotland and eased home with a one-under-par 71, winning by three shots after bogeying the last two holes. Her 54-hole total of 17-under 199 was two strokes off the tournament record she set last year. The best women's player in the world won for the second time this year. In six events, she has five top-threes and has finished no lower than sixth.
Sorenstam was back on the LPGA tour after playing in last week's Colonial, where she became the second woman in history to compete in a PGA tour event. She missed the cut but said she was looking forward to returning where she belongs.
"To come back and perform the way I did was pretty much incredible, with everything going on last week," said Sorenstam, who took over the top spot on the money list with the 180,000 dollar top prize.



Sorenstam's participation in a men's event was in an effort to better herself come major time. She especially wanted to work on her long irons and short game under pressure-packed circumstances.



"I wanted to test myself, and I did," said Sorenstam, who missed the cut at the Colonial. "And to come back this week, obviously I felt more relaxed."



Sorenstam could use some of the same next week at LPGA Championship, the tour's second major of the season. She has won 44 titles on the women's circuit, but only 4 majors.


Bureau Report