Tempe, Nov 26: Annika Sorenstam is playing against the men again, and she thinks her chances are at least a little better this time.
Sorenstam will compete against Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson and defending champion Mark O'Meara next week in The Skins Game at the Trilogy Golf Club in La Quinta, California.
The skins format, in which each hole is a separate competition for the combined prize of $1 million, offers a better chance for success than Sorenstam had when she competed in the PGA Tour's Colonial in May.
At the Colonial, Sorenstam became the first woman in 58 years to play on the PGA Tour. She had a solid two rounds, but failed to make the cut.
``I do feel I'm a little more aggressive just because every hole is a new match,'' she said Wednesday in a conference call. ``It's a fun format.''



Sorenstam is the first woman to participate in the 20-year history of The Skins Game. She comes with some recent experience after going against Retief Goosen, Jesper Parnevik and a local pro last week in the Tiger Skins tournament in Singapore. Goosen won the event with $130,000. Sorenstam won five skins and $35,000.



The financial stakes will be higher in the Nov. 29-30 competition on the new Trilogy course, which stretches nearly 7,200 yards.


Bureau Report