Sorenstam rests while Ashley Prange gets her big break

Friday, August 18th 2006, 8:47 am

By: News On 6

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) _ While Annika Sorenstam takes a break after winning last week in Stockholm, British Open winner Sherri Steinhauer is back stateside for the Safeway Classic.

Steinhauer's motivation for the trip? Well, it's not all about the golf.

``Portland is one of my favorite cities to come to in the States, and I have one of my most favorite meals of the year, so I was going to come all the way for that,'' she said.

The meal, she said, is Cuban pulled pork on mashed potatoes and onion rings at a local restaurant. She's planning to partake on Friday night after the first round.

``I cannot wait,'' she said.

Sorenstam, who won in Portland in 2002 and 2003, is taking some time off after winning the Scandinavian TPC, the tournament she sponsors. Sorenstam also skipped last year's Safeway Classic.

Defending champion Kang Soo-yun of South Korean returns. She has been bothered by a neck injury and not fared well this season _ her best finish was 24th at Hawaii.

Cristie Kerr, who won the Canadian Women's Open last weekend, also will compete. She has three victories this season after going winless last year. She said she consulted a sports psychologist to help sort out her game.

``I felt like my swing was good enough last year to compete week in and week out like I've done this year, but I guess I didn't really realize mentally what I was lacking on the golf course and that's probably been the biggest key this year,'' she said.

The novelty in the field is Ashley Prange, who won a place in the tournament with her victory in a U.S. television cable golf channel's competition.

The former University of North Carolina player also won expenses to compete on the U.S. women's Futures Tour, where she has won twice. The top five money winners on that tour get to play on the U.S. LPGA Tour next season.

Prange was playing in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Sunday, and this week suddenly crept up on her.

``I walked in here Monday and my jaw just dropped,'' she said. ``This is amazing. This is what I've worked for.''

Prange said her goals were threefold.

``Soak it up, take it in and just truly enjoy it,'' she said.

Portland's famous rainy weather was not expected over the weekend, with the forecast calling for sunny skies.