Sorenstam to Follow Win in Mexico with Defense of Title in Phoenix.

Annika Sorenstam started her 2005 LPGA season in a familiar way—a win at the inaugural MasterCard Classic in Mexico City, Mexico. Now Sorenstam will travel to Arizona to defend her title at The Safeway International, presented by Coca-Cola.

Sorenstam won the Safeway International in 2004 by four shot over Christie Kerr and one of the strongest fields on the LGPA tour last year.

The strength of the field for the 2005 edition of the Safeway International looks very impressive again. All 50 of the top money winners from 2004 LPGA money list are committed to playing in Phoenix at this point.

Besides Sorenstam the list includes Juli Inkster, Grace Park, Lorena Ochoa, SBS at Turtle Bay winner Jennifer Rosales, Meg Mallon, Cristie Kerr and former Phoenix winners Se Ri Pak, Karrie Webb, Laura Davies, Rachel Hetherington and Patty Sheehan. Webb finished second last week to Sorenstam in Mexico City.

In addition, the tournament will feature two impressive amateurs on sponsor's exemptions. Michelle Wie, the teen phenom from Hawaii, will return to the Safeway International again this year. Wie finished in a tie for second at the first event on the LPGA tour this year in her home state. Louise Stahle, the #1 ranked player in NCAA women?s golf, who plays for Arizona State University, has also joined the field by virtue of winning the Safeway International Amateur Open on February 17th.

Two other teenagers who have just turned pro will also make their first trip to the Arizona event next week. Paula Creamer, 19, won the LPGA Q School this year and is 10th on the money list through two events. Brittany Lincicome, also 19, gained national attention after leading the US Women's Open after the first round in 2004.

The 2005 edition of the Safeway International will be held at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club March 14-20. The 2004 tournament drew record crowds to the new venue. The tournament features a purse of $1.4 million purse and all four rounds will be shown nationally on the Golf Channel. The broadcast will be from 6 pm ? 8 pm MST daily.

Proceeds from the event benefit local Arizona charities through the Safeway Foundation. Since 1983, the tournament has raised almost $10 million for local charities, primarily cancer research programs through Banner Health Foundation with $758,000 coming from the 2004 event alone.

Tickets for the event are available at the customer services desk of any Arizona Safeway store or by calling 602-495-GOLF.