DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (PA) -- Annika Sorenstam has let it be known she wants the women's world No. 1 spot back from Mexican Lorena Ochoa.
"I can tell you that my goal for 2008 is to get to the top," said Sorenstam as she prepared for the Thursday kick off of her title defense at the Dubai Ladies' Masters. "I've already made arrangements to train at the end of the season. I'm planning around things more - and I want to get back."
Sorenstam has a total of 84 victories to her name, 69 of them in America and 10 of them majors -- but after suffering a neck injury early this year, she has slipped to third in the world behind Ochoa and Australian Karrie Webb. The Dubai Ladies' Masters, the season-ending event on the Ladies European Tour, marks her last chance she has to avoid her first winless season since 1994.
"I have had other business ventures which have kept me in good spirits [she also became engaged in August], and it has helped me to cope with the bad results," she added. "But I feel that my motivation is coming back, because I don't like to be in the situation I have been in this year -- where I am not competing.
"I am a competitive person, and there is nothing better than coming down the stretch to win. I haven't had so many chances this year, so I'm excited about next year. I know my expectations will be higher," she said.
"I had never dealt with an injury. I didn't know what a long process it is," she added. "I have learned that this year. I think it makes you appreciate when you feel good and when things are going your way."
England's Laura Davies also aims to end a super season in style with a victory in her first visit to the Majlis Course at the Emirates Resort.
The 44-year-old, whose "satisfying year" most recently saw her win her 68th career title at the Women's Austrian Open in September, is looking forward to taking on the unusual course in the Middle East.
"I didn't know what to expect when I came here, but I love it so far," Davies said. "It's a bit different and the course is like an oasis in the middle of the desert. "But it is in great condition and the par 5s are reachable in two shots, so it should be a lot of fun."
Scotland's Catriona Matthew also has her eyes on the top prize because if she wins, she could top the Ladies' European Tour Order of Merit. She is currently lying sixth on the list with $227,663, while Germany's Bettina Hauert leads with $308,427.
"I'll need to win and for other results to go my way, but it's great to have the chance," said the winner of the Scandinavian TPC in August.
Other prime contenders include Sophie Gustafson, Maria Hjorth and American glamour girl Natalie Gulbis. Gulbis won her first title at the Evian Masters in France in July and is also on her first trip to Dubai.
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