Reunion, FL (AHN) - The world's number one female golfer, Annika Sorenstam, opened her first "Annika Academy," Monday at the Ginn Reunion Resort.

The 5,400-square-foot teaching facility is modeled after the golf and fitness programs that helped Sorenstam to win 10 majors and claim more than 80 victories worldwide.

"Our goal is to inspire our guests," Sorenstam told AP. "I will get a chance to share my passion for golf and for fitness with all golfers, of all ages, of all skill levels, all around the world."

Sorenstam personally gave a tour and some instruction to Darius Rucker, lead singer of "Hootie and the Blowfish."

Sorenstam appeared at the event despite dealing with ruptured and herniated disks in her back that have caused her to take at least a month off from the LPGA Tour this season.

Sorenstam's agent at IMG, Mark Steinberg, said doctors told Sorenstam she likely will not need surgery and rehabilitation should be completed in 10 to 14 days.

"I thought it was something muscular and I was going to be OK," said Sorenstam, who wore a neck brace during a brief interview with AP. "My doctor was telling me about my injury and I said, 'But I'm playing tomorrow. What am I going to do?' And he looked at me and said, 'You're not playing.' That's when it hit me. Nothing stops me, and that's the problem," she said. "I'm just go, go, go. I need somebody to tell me to stop. And here I am."

The "Annika" academy includes a modern fitness room, state-of-the-art cardiovascular exercise equipment and two large hitting booths equipped with video analysis and Callaway Golf club fitting. The academy also has a driving range, putting green and an area for golfers to work on their short-game

Sorenstam told reporters that she will be at the academy at least a dozen times a year, including five times as part of the "Soren-Slam Package," a three-day program that costs $12,000 and includes a round of golf with her. The package is already sold out for the remainder of 2007.

Sorenstam's coaches, Henri Reis (swing) and Kai Fusser (fitness), along with her sister, Charlotta, who will be one of instructors.

Children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Rucker were given a clinic on Monday by Sorenstam, who spoke easily to the young audience - a far departure from the shy teenager and young woman Sorenstam used to be.

"It's impossible to think 12 years ago she could be doing this," Steinberg said. "Her mind wouldn't have gone here. She has completely come into her own. Nobody told her how to do this."

Sorenstam said she thought of an academy about five years, about the time she began to establish herself as the dominant player of her generation.

Sorenstam has 69 career wins and has won the career Grand Slam and should challenge Kathy Whitworth's tour record of 88 wins.

"You come here, and you get a sense it's me," Sorenstam said. "Obviously, the competition took me here, and that's the foundation, which I would say is quite solid. I like to stand for those attributes - consistency, inspiration, class. All those should reflect in everything I do."