2005 has been another exciting year for women's and men's golf, with Annika Sorenstam and Tiger Woods once again being the dominant golfers in the world.

Both added two major championships to their personal tally, which now stands at Annika 9 Tiger 10. It is no coincidence that they are good friends, since their dedicated and single minded approach to their

respective games sets them apart from their contemporaries. It will be interesting in 2006 to see how Annika stands up to the pressure of the young Americans trying to rest her world number one crown away from her, when Morgan Pressel joins the professional ranks in May 2006 to bolster the presence of Paula Creamer, the LPGA's 2005 Rookie of the year, and Michelle Wie who, although a professional, at 16

years old, isn't yet old enough to become a member of the LPGA. Annika's recent performances in winning the Samsung World Championship where Michelle Wie made her professional debut, and the ADT Tour Championship, suggest that she will be very hard to dislodge!

Tiger's hard work in rebuilding his swing under the guidance of Hank Haney seems to be paying dividends - his haul of two majors could so easily been all four, and once again he has set the record for the most money ever to be won in a season. Unlike the situation in women's golf, it is hard to see where his main challengers will come from. Phil Mickelson's golf can

Annika Sorenstam

be brilliant and his short game mostly is, but he lacks consistency, Vijay Singh has the consistency from tee to green, but his holing out lets him down, and Ernie has missed the last few months of the season through injury. Let's hope that when he makes his return this month in the Million Dollar Challenge in Sun City, that he is raring to go, and ready to challenge Tiger in 2006.

dish as I watch golf every week. That will have to be after I return from Singapore, where I'll be working for television at The Lexus Cup, a new team event between an International team of women, captained by Annika Sorenstam, and an Asian team, captained by Grace Park. It will be a last chance to keep my tan for the winter before I head of to Spain at the end of January. I know, it's a hard life, but someone has to do these things!
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The Curtis Cup at Bandon Dunes in Oregon, USA and The Ryder Cup at The K Club in Ireland to look forward to. That is apart from all the majors, and what has now become the opportunity to watch top class golf every week of the year somewhere in the world. As the British Winter sets in I will be getting good value from my Sky

Tiger Woods