Annika's OK With 2nd Place

Bill Huffman, out in front on all things Safeway International, has a small profile of Annika Sorenstam that shows that Annika is really starting to put things into perspective.

Going into this week's Safeway International at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club near Gold Canyon, the sweet-swinging Swede seems, if anything, comfortable with just being herself.

"I think I'm just in a different situation, a different place in my life,'' said the 37-year-old Sorenstam, who owned the top spot in women's golf for much of the past decade until Lorena Ochoa wrested the title away early last year.

"Last year, (a back) injury sidelined me for two months, and I got a different perspective on life. ... But then this is my 15th year on tour, and a lot of things have happened. I'm not the best player out here, but I've achieved a lot.''

Consider the torch officially passed when the former #1 admits she is no longer #1. It is very interesting that the injury really put life into perspective. Then again, she has so much going on outside of golf that it would be difficult not to have to put things into their proper place. She has her academy, a budding golf design business, and a marriage in a year that will lead to a family. I think it is safe to say that she can move on from being the kind of player she was for nearly 15 years confident in the mark she has left - 70 wins, 8 Player of the Year awards, etc.