The world number one women's golfer, Annika Sorenstam, said Tiger Woods's 11th major victory in the British Open had given her an extra spur for next week's female version at Royal Lytham.

The 35-year-old Swede said she had watched every shot on television of Woods's emotional triumph at Hoylake the day before.

"We are good friends but we have a serious rivalry," said Sorenstam.

Sorenstam has won 10 women's majors and is determined to match the American's tally.

"He texted me during my victory in the US Open earlier in the month and I'll be texting my congratulations to him too soon. My mobile's text doesn't work in Britain so I'll have to wait," she said.

Sorenstam was fascinated to watch Woods's tactics at Hoylake, where he kept his driver in the bag and relied on irons off the tee to keep out of the rough.

"I could never go through a tournament myself without using the driver - I obviously don't have Tiger's power - but I'll be trying to stay out of trouble myself at Lytham next week and often using fairway woods and irons rather than the driver."

She is five years Woods's senior and said she would keep playing as long as the challenge and motivation were there.

Her majors rivalry with Woods is one factor that will keep her persisting with a training regime that includes up to five visits every week to the gym and beating hundreds of balls on the practice range.

Another spur is the new generation of exciting players coming through, led by the 16-year-old Michelle Wie.

Would she continue another five years?

"Five years is a long time. I have lots of other things going on in my life," she said.

"I'll continue as long as the motivation is still there for me. I could just stop. I can't see myself playing on if I'm not performing."

She has ruled out the possibility of taking on Woods face to face at a British Open now that the Royal and Ancient have opened up qualifying for women.

"I played in a regular PGA event, the Colonial, three years ago but it was a one-off," she said.

"It was one of the greatest things I have done in my career but we women have a great tour and for me the enjoyment is competing and winning."

Wie has been criticised for concentrating on trying to make a PGA Tour cut - her latest attempt was at this month's John Deere Classic - instead of regular women's golf events.

"She has a different agenda to me," said Sorenstam.

The pair will both be at the British Open next week at Lytham. The Swede won the event there in 2003.

Sorenstam, who is also chasing a record third Evian Masters starting in France today, is beginning to diversify her golfing interests - she will open her own golf school in Florida next year and is also developing a course-design business - but she remains focused on adding to her 81 victories around the globe.

"I am always excited to come back here and have a rare chance to play in Europe," said Sorenstam yesterday.

Paula Creamer won the Evian title last year by eight shots from Wie, and both American teenagers are back among the favourites.

Wie is making her third appearance in the tournament, but her first as a professional.

It is also her first outing since she was forced to pull out with heat exhaustion in the second round of the John Deere Classic two weeks ago.

"It taught me that I have to be very careful and take more rest," said the youngster, who is seeking a breakthrough first professional victory.

"I've been working hard but also made sure I've taken some time off.

"It would be great to win here this week, but I'll not be forcing anything.

"If it happens, it happens."

Man jailed for paint incident

A man who threw purple paint on the 18th green during the British Open was jailed yesterday.

Duck eggs filled with purple gloss paint broke open on the grass of the Royal Liverpool golf course as the eventual winner, Tiger Woods, prepared to chip onto the green.

The pressure group Real Fathers 4 Justice, a splinter group of the original Fathers 4 Justice, claimed responsibility for the protest at the climax of the tournament on Sunday.

Paul Addison (40) from Nelson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Stephen Fletcher (35) from Rutherford Square, Sunderland, both pleaded guilty at Wirral Magistrates' Court to five counts of criminal damage.

Addison was jailed for eight weeks and Fletcher was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work in the community.