Sorenstam opens with two-under 70 in Dubai

Dubai, Dec 11: Former world number one Annika Sorenstam made a solid start to her final tournament on the women's tour by carding a two-under 70 in the opening round of the Dubai Ladies Masters on Thursday.

The 38-year-old Swede, who has won 72 LPGA tournaments including 10 majors, sits four shots adrift of leader Briton Johanna Head.

Sorenstam will retire after the Masters to get married, start a family and pursue her business interests. Followed by an appreciative crowd, which included her family members, Sorenstam began strongly with birdies on the 10th, 12th and 13th holes. She bogeyed the 14th, then birdied the 16th before carding a double bogey at the par five 18th hole after her third shot spun back from the green into the water. After completing the back nine in one under, she shot three further birdies at the first, third and fifth, before finishing with back-to-back bogeys.

"I played well for about 14 holes, but collapsed on the other four which is a bummer when you feel so about something and then you come in with such a terrible finish," said Sorenstam who is aiming for a third successive win in Dubai. "Overall, I am pleased with the round," said Sorenstam who was is tied for sixth in a group which includes the English duo of Laura Davies and Trish Johnson