This week's Sybase Classic: a rubber match for Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam?

With news of Annika’s imminent retirement from professional golf, chances to see her go head to head with Lorena Ochoa are lessening with every tournament.

Last weekend at the Michelob Ultra Open, it was looking like a heated battle as the two players were placed first and second going into the weekend. But Sorenstam pulled ahead while Ochoa fell apart, and the final round ended up somewhat less than climactic.

But it’s a new day, a new tournament. The second round of the Sybase Classic is underway, and both Annika and Ochoa have spots in the top ten, Annika now tied for 3rd, Ochoa tied for 6th.

Ochoa is actually going for a threepeat this weekend?she won the last two Sybase Classics in a row. But Annika’s no slouch at the Sybase either?she’s also won it twice, in 1998 and 2000.

Have we got ourselves a rubber match?

Speaking of Annika’s retirement, blogger Mulligan Stu did some digging and uncovered the real reasons why she’s stepping away. Good stuff, Stu–except I should point out that Oslo is in Norway, not Sweden.

Here’s the TV schedule for the Sybase Classic:

May 16 1:30-3:30 PM ET ESPN2
May 17 2:00-4:00 PM ET ESPN2
May 18 2:00-4:00 PM ET ESPN2

Update! With Friday’s unplayable conditions, the LPGA scrubbed all Friday’s scores and turned the tournament into a 54-hole event. That means Sorenstam and Ochoa are entering the weekend rounds at T1, T3.