Swedes are team to beat

SUN CITY, South Africa -The Swede who once inspired Annika Sorenstam is now her teammate.

Sorenstam was 17 and still involved in junior golf when she walked down the street one morning to get a newspaper. There was Liselotte Neumann, splashed across the front page having won the U.S. Women's Open.

"I just thought that is pretty neat," Sorenstam said. "She comes from a small town, just like I do, and I thought, 'Wow! If she can do that, maybe I can follow my dreams and one day be able to follow her path.' "

Sorenstam has carved out her own trail, winning 66 times on the LPGA Tour, capturing nine major championships and dominating like no other golfer over the past five years.

She starts her season today with Neumann at her side at the Women's World Cup, making Sweden one of the heavy favorites to win against a 20-team field at Gary Player Country Club.

The defending champion is Japan, led by the amazing Ai Miyazato.

The 20-year-old won six times on the Japan LPGA last year, then came to America and set a qualifying-school record with a 12-shot victory.

Last year at Fancourt, Miyazato nearly single- handedly carried Japan to victory. Her teammate this time is 20-year-old Sakura Yokomine.

The United States also brings youth, with 19-year-old Paula Creamer and 23-year-old Natalie Gulbis.