REUNION, Fla., April 12 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam, the world's No. 1 women's golfer, has withdrawn from the Ginn Open, this week's LPGA stop in Florida.
Sorenstam has been diagnosed with a ruptured disc and a bulging disc in her back. She is to see a specialist in Miami to determine a course of treatment.
"I've been playing with quite a bit of pain for the past several weeks," Sorenstam said. "I couldn't take it much more and decided it was time to see someone after the pro-am. I withdraw with deep regret as the Ginn Open is one of the finest tournaments we have and it is in my home town of Orlando."
The injury is the first in Sorenstam's 13-year career. She has won 10 majors and 69 tournaments since joining the LPGA. Stephanie Louden was tabbed to replace Sorenstam in the Ginn field.
The Ginn Open, with a total purse of $2.6 million, is the third-richest tournament on the LPGA calendar. The winner will collect $390,000.
