For the first time since 2001, Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam will be in the field in Hawaii when the LPGA tour tees off its new season at the SBS Open at Turtle Bay.

Coming off a season in which she played just 13 tournaments because of injuries to her neck and back, a year in which she was supplanted at the top of the golf rankings by Lorena Ochoa, Sorenstam is healthy and intent on regaining her lofty perch atop women's golf.

"I'm very serious about 2008," said Sorenstam, who was winless on the tour last year for the first time since 1994 and is ranked No. 4 in the world. "I like winning tournaments, and I like being No. 1. I'm healthy again and I've been able to practice again.

"I feel good about my game."

This week's SBS Open is the first of 35 events the LPGA tour will play in nine countries this year. A record 13 events will feature purses of at least $2 million, and players will play for a record $60.9 million in prize money.

Ochoa, who shattered Sorenstam's single-season earnings record last year with $4.3 million, is skipping the first two events and will begin her season at the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore.

But joining Sorenstam in the SBS Open is world No. 2 and five-time 2007 winner Suzann Pettersen, defending champion and world No. 5 Paula Creamer, 2007 U.S. Women's Open champion and world No. 6 Cristie Kerr, and Kraft Nabisco Champion and world No. 11 Morgan Pressel.

"I think (Sorenstam) played exceptionally well considering all she went through," said close friend Natalie Gulbis, also in the SBS Open field.

"I know she's working hard on her golf game. She's starting her year in Hawaii, and she hasn't done that in past. That tells everyone how serious she is."