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Posted at 6:44 a.m., Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Sorenstam to cut back schedule because of back injury

Associated Press

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Annika Sorenstam will play fewer golf tournaments this season and focus on the majors because of a back injury.

"I will play less, prepare more and really go for the big competitions," Sorenstam told Swedish broadcaster SVT.

The 36-year-old Sorenstam learned last week that she has a ruptured and herniated disk in her back and will miss at least a month from the LPGA Tour.

"I have seen the X-rays and there's an injury that has been there for a long time and I have just kept on playing," Sorenstam said.

The Swedish golfer said she remained optimistic about another grand slam win despite the injury. She has 69 LPGA Tour victories and 10 major titles.

"I think it's realistic. This year I had planned for it, but it didn't happen," Sorenstam said. "I trained really hard in February and it is probably one of the reasons why I obtained this injury."