Tour season starts with one subject at forefront

LPGA Tour commissioner Ty Votaw ticked off a list of story lines he believes will make this one of the best seasons ever in women's golf.

He started with Annika Sorenstam. He didn't get much further.

"I hear skepticism," Votaw said.

For good reason.

Is there any LPGA Tour story besides Sorenstam?

After a three-month break from tournament golf (excluding the Skins Game in Hawaii), the LPGA Tour starts Thursday in Tucson, Ariz. Sorenstam will wait one week before making her season debut in Phoenix.

Not that it will matter.

Some might notice that Karrie Webb is in better shape than ever after a strict diet and fitness program. She has won at least one major championship each of the last four years and might be ready to challenge for No. 1 in the world.

Still, she'll be asked: "What do you think of Annika playing against the men?"

Laura Diaz has made huge strides every year since her rookie season, winning twice last year. If the pendulum keeps swinging in her favor, this might be the year she breaks through and wins a major.

"Do you think women's golf will suffer if Annika doesn't make the cut at Colonial?"

Se Ri Pak has been the second-best player the last two years and could become the youngest woman, at 25, to win the LPGA's career Grand Slam.

"Would you like to play a PGA Tour event, like Annika will?"

Get ready for all Annika, all the time.

Asked if he's concerned the LPGA Tour might turn into a one-woman show, Votaw replied, "Any more than Tiger is a one-man show?"

The men got tired of talking about Tiger Woods, but only until they realized how much he helped their bank accounts grow.

The year Woods turned pro, Tom Lehman won the money list with $1.7 million. Thanks to two television contracts negotiated since Woods arrived, three players already have earned more than $1.8 million this year after just 10 tournaments.

"The guy has brought so much into our sport," David Toms said. "How can you get tired of talking about him?"