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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, November 23, 2008

Drug test stuns Sorenstam

Advertiser News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Annika Sorenstam

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Annika Sorenstam received an unexpected parting gift from the LPGA.

A urine sample cup. Or whatever it is the LPGA uses to collect samples as part of its drug-testing program.

Shortly after walking off the 18th green and missing the cut in her farewell appearance as a full-time LPGA player Friday at the ADT Championship, Sorenstam was informed that she would be required to take a drug test. Sorenstam looked mystified that she would be tested in her exodus just two weeks after being tested.

"I don't really know what's going on," she said.

The timing of Sorenstam's test seemed odd given the fanfare surrounding her farewell appearance. She was escorted from the media tent to a trailer, where she submitted to testing.

Jill Pilgrim, the LPGA general counsel and administrator of the drug-testing program, said Sorenstam's name was randomly selected. "We followed our protocol," Pilgrim said.

Suzann Pettersen, Angela Stanford Paula Creamer, Seon Hwa Lee, Ji-Yai Shin, Jeong Jang, Karrie Webb and Eun-Hee Jee advanced to today's 18-hole shootout for $1 million.

Creamer — who has been sick since Wednesday night — was admitted to Bethedsa Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach because of severe abdominal distress. A decision whether or not she plays will be made early this morning said Jay Burton, the senior vice president of IMG, which represents Creamer.