Sorenstam holes sand shot to take Skins lead

LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Annika Sorenstam played against the men again -- and beat them with one of the most spectacular shots in the history of the Skins Game.

Sorenstam, the first woman to compete in the 21 years since the event began, holed a 39-yard bunker shot for an eagle on the par-5, 524-yard ninth hole Saturday to earn $175,000.

"I'm pretty much in shock, I must say," she said.

Another $700,000 will be at stake in the final nine holes today.

On Saturday, she won more than her three male competitors did combined. Phil Mickelson earned $100,000 with a pair of $50,000 skins. Fred Couples sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the first hole for $25,000. Defending champion Mark O'Meara had no skins.

Sorenstam became the first woman to compete in a PGA event in 58 years at The Colonial in May. She had a solid two rounds but missed the cut.

Her invitation to compete in the $1 million Skins Game drew far less attention, but she knew she faced an uphill battle against the longer-hitting men.

She played well but had no skins through the first eight holes Saturday, then came the shot she called the best of her remarkable career.

"I've hit some great shots at major championships to win them," she said, "but with all the people watching, against these guys a tough shot like that, I think it's the best shot under the circumstances."

There were no skins on the sixth, seventh and eighth holes, building the amount at stake to $175,000 on the ninth.

None of the players made the green in two, and Sorenstam was in the worst shape of all, in the sand trap on the far side of the green at the Trilogy Golf Club.

Nedbank Challenge

SUN CITY, South Africa -- Spain's Sergio Garcia shot a 2-under 70 to take a one-stroke lead over South Africa's Retief Goosen after three rounds. Garcia, the 2001 winner, had a 12-under 204 total on the Gary Player Country Club course. Goosen shot a 68. Second-round leader Kenny Perry was 10 under after a 73.

-- From wire reports