One day the LPGA will have a tournament equivalent to the Masters Tournament. At least that's what LPGA superstar Annika Sorenstam hopes.

"This tournament has been around forever," she said. "It's one tournament I watch on television. There's so much tradition here. I wish we had tournaments like this."

Sorenstam, who won the LPGA's first major, The Nabisco Championship, two weeks ago, has played Augusta National Golf Club twice. She shot even-par 72 from the member tees and from the championship tees.

In town to receive the LPGA Player of the Year award from the Golf Writers Association of America, Sorenstam will be back in the Augusta area soon. The LPGA will hold the Asahi Ryokuken International Championship at Mount Vintage Plantation Golf Club on May 16-19.

"It's nice to see it back," she said. "We need to get some tradition growing there as well."

Greensboro calling

Reigning U.S. Amateur champion Bubba Dickerson is giving up trips to the U.S. Open and the British Open. Instead, the former Florida golfer will announce Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., that he's turning professional. He's expected to play his first tournament as a pro in the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic in two weeks.

Yes, sir

Jerry Kelly spent Tuesday evening off the course watching, of course, past Masters highlights. The first-time participant, who said he grew up watching the Masters and the U.S. Open, watched Jack Nicklaus come from behind to win the 1986 Masters.

"Last night just happened to have the '86 recap on it twice," Kelly said. "I watched it twice. Looking at the guys' shots into 13, looking at the TV, you can't tell. Now, knowing the slope and seeing the ball above the feet, I'll be able to watch the Masters with a whole new respect. Hopefully, I won't be able to watch the telecast this weekend."

Wet, but dry

Two-time Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal wasn't sure what to make of the light rain Wednesday.

"The rain is going to make the greens softer, that's for sure," Olazabal said. "I don't know how, but they have ways to dry those greens very quickly. I don't know if (the rain) is going to make any difference for the tournament."

With caution

Steve Lowery, who finished fourth at the PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club in 2001, wasn't willing to go out on a limb with a Masters pick Wednesday.

"It's possible that someone under the radar could win the tournament," Lowery said. "But the golf course changes tend to favor the long hitters. Length is definitely a factor."

Westwood return

Lee Westwood is back in Augusta after missing last year's Masters because of the impending birth of his first child. His son, Samuel Bevan, turns 1 on Friday.

"It feels great," Westwood said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Hole in three

First-time Masters participant Chez Reavie made par the hard way on No. 9 in the Par-3 Contest. After knocking his tee ball in the water, the Arizona State sophomore spun his third shot back into the hole.

"The guys were kind of razzing me the last few tees because I hit it in the lake," said Reavie, who hit two in the water on No. 8.

Sharped-dressed man

Paul Azinger went retro for the Par-3 Contest. The 1993 PGA Champion sported a yellow tie with his blue shirt and khaki pants.

"That's what this is all about, to go out and have some fun," playing partner Larry Mize said.

Milestone

Entering this week, 991 different golfers had played in the Masters. With the 12 first-time participants this year, that number will eclipse the 1,000 mark.

Milestone, part two

Three-time Masters champion Gary Player will make his 45th start in the Masters today. The 66-year-old Player holds the international player record for most starts (44), consecutive starts (28) and tournaments completed.

Weekend golfers

Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer and 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples are looking to extend the streak of Masters cuts made. Langer, who won the Masters in 1985 and '93, has made 18 consecutive cuts, while Couples has made 17 straight.

Much ado about nothing?

Several players this week believe a long hitter will be wearing the green jacket Sunday. But only three players ranked in the top 25 in driving distance on the PGA Tour - Tiger Woods , Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia - have won a golf tournament this year.