COLLEGIATE champion returns to Tulsa for LPGA

<br>(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa collegiate champion Nancy Lopez returns to her college town this week for the LPGA. <br><br>Lopez was the collegiate national champion in 1976 and the national runner-up in 1977.

Tuesday, September 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Tulsa collegiate champion Nancy Lopez returns to her college town this week for the LPGA.

Lopez was the collegiate national champion in 1976 and the national runner-up in 1977. She jumped to the LPG-A Tour in 1978 and soon was the country's most-celebrated athlete.

She won nine tournaments as a rookie, including a record-setting five in a row. She was also on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Over the years, heath problems have diminished the 44-year-old's presence on tour. But she'll play in the Williams Championship this week.

Until Monday, Lopez hadn't swung a club in Tulsa since she left TU.