ANNIKA SORENSTAM WITHDRAWS
FROM GINN OPEN

LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam withdrew from the 2007 Ginn Open, the $2.6 million LPGA event that gets underway today in Reunion, Fla. Sorenstam is suffering from a ruptured disc in her back and will be sidelined at least one month.

Sorenstam was diagnosed late Wednesday afternoon with a badly herniated Nucleus Pulposus (ruptured disc) in the C 5-6 area and a Thoracic (bulging disk) in the T 6-7 area after visiting doctors in South Florida following her pro-am and pre-tournament press conference. 

“I've been playing with quite a bit of pain for the past several weeks,” Annika said. “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 home town of Orlando.”

Annika will travel to Miami today to visit a neurosurgeon to determine the next steps. She will still participate in the grand opening of the ANNIKA Academy at Ginn Reunion on Monday. 

It's the first major injury of Sorenstam's 13-year professional career, in which she has won 10 majors, 69 tournaments and earned in excess of $20 million in her career. She had played in three tournaments this season and has two top 10 finishes.

Stephanie Louden will replace Sorenstam in the Ginn Open field.