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Associated Press 21y

Inkster: 'I want to give it one more good year ...'

Juli Inkster already has everything she needs -- membership in
the Hall of Fame, the career Grand Slam, more major championships
than any active player on the LPGA Tour, a supportive husband and
two daughters.

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Inkster

Is it time to become a part-time player?

Not quite.

''I want to give it one more good year and see what happens,''
she said when the LPGA Tour season ended last month at the ADT
Championship.

Women's golf is in the middle of a three-month break, but the
42-year-old Inkster didn't sound as though she was in any mood to
stash her clubs in the closet.

Inkster is rarely satisfied, a trait that has made her the best
player of her generation. Asked about her plans during the LPGA
Tour hiatus, she said there would be a little relaxing and a lot of
work.

''I've got some issues with my swing I've got to work out,'' she
said. ''I'm going to work on my swing, relax, and get ready for
March.''

Inkster won twice this year, including a career-defining victory
in the U.S. Women's Open when she closed with a 66 and made up a
two-stroke deficit against Annika Sorenstam.

Her goal for 2003 is to play better from start to finish.

''I'd like to get my golf game for a whole year when I play
good,'' she said. ''This year, I played good at the start, good in
the middle and bad at the end. I know I can get a little better. I
don't feel like I've hit it yet.''

What would it mean to the woman who has everything?

What does she have to prove?

''I think what pushes me is beating all these little (punks),''
she said with a twinkle in her eye and a hearty laugh. ''I like
beating the younger players.''

Booing Bernhard
Even Bernhard Langer, one of the most gracious players in golf, can be subjected to bad behavior from spectators.

The worst came at The Players Championship several years ago
when he was in contention on Sunday and arrived on the island-green
17th.

''As soon as I hit it, one guy yelled, 'Go in the water!' That
wasn't nice,'' Langer said.

Did the ball go in the water?

''No, I hit a good shot,'' Langer said. Then after pausing, he
added with a smile, ''I made birdie, actually.''

New home in Houston
The PGA Tour is moving out of the TPC at
The Woodlands, and the LPGA Tour is moving in.

The Samsung World Championship for 20 of the top women in the
world is relocating to The Woodlands and will be played Oct. 9-12.
Annika Sorenstam is the defending champion.

The move fills a void in Texas for the LPGA Tour, which last
year lost a tournament honoring Harvey Penick in Austin.

The Shell Houston Open on the PGA Tour is moving to Redstone
Golf Club next year, ending 28 years at The Woodlands.

Tidbits
The British-based Association of Golf Writers has
awarded its annual Golf Writers' Trophy to Europe's Ryder Cup team
for its victory over the United States. ... Annika Sorenstam
changed her mind and will play in the Skins Game on Jan. 25-26 at
Wailea in Hawaii. Sorenstam will play against Karrie Webb, Laura
Diaz and Laura Davies.

Stat of the week
Tiger Woods has been No. 1 in the world for
245 weeks since he turned pro. The record belongs to Greg Norman,
who was No. 1 in the world for 331 weeks over a 12-year span.

Final word
''Phil Mickelson would have prepared for that
match as well as he would have prepared for any round of golf, but
the boy took him apart. It was wonderful.''

-- European captain Sam
Torrance, on 119th-ranked Phillip Price beating Mickelson in a
pivotal Ryder Cup match.

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