ANNIKA HAS A DISK PROBLEM,

COULD BE OUT OF ACTION

FOR A MONTH

Annika Sorenstam pulled out of the LPGA Tour's Ginn Open today after being told she has a ruptured disk in her back. Sources close to the Swedish world No 1 female golfer say she will be out for at least a month.

It is the first major injury in Sorenstam's 13-year career. She will see a specialist in Miami to determine the next step in her treatment.
"I've been playing with quite a bit of pain for the past several weeks," Sorenstam. "I couldn't take it much more and decided it was time to see someone after the pro-am yesterday. I withdraw with deep regret as the Ginn Open is one of the finest tournaments we have, and it is in my adopted home town of Orlando."
Sorenstam saw a doctor after her pro-am round on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a badly herniated Nucleus Pulposus (ruptured disc) in the C 5-6 area and a Thoracic (bulging disc) in the T 6-7 area.