Sorenstam won the Open at Lytham three years ago

The 35-year-old Swedish women's world number one said: "We are good friends but we have a serious rivalry."

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

But she said she has no plans to try to qualify for the men's Open. "We women have a great tour and for me the enjoyment is competing and winning."

Rising women's star Michelle Wie had half an eye on qualifying when she played in the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic earlier this month.

"She has a different agenda to me," said Sorenstam of the 16-year-old American, who has yet to win on the LPGA Tour.

"I played in a regular PGA event, the Colonial, three years ago and it was one of the greatest things I've done in my career, but it was a one-off."

Sorenstam added she was not sure if she would be around to take on Wie in five years' time. "That's 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."

The Weetabix Women's British Open takes place from 3-6 August at the Royal Lytham and St Anne's Golf Club.