EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (PA) -- England's Laura Davies and Swede Annika Sorenstam both begin the chase for a third Evian Masters title on Thursday, but it is world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa who starts as the favorite in the $3.25 million tournament that matches the U.S. Women's Open as the richest in the women's game.

Davies won in 1995 and 1996 -- before the tournament came under the umbrella of the LPGA Tour -- and a third win would take her to within one victory of a place in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

"I love this course and have done well many times here," said Davies, who was tied second two years ago. "It's always lovely to be back. My form has been quite good this year. I just need some more putts to fall."

Sorenstam, the 2000 and 2002 champion, has already announced that she is to retire at the end of the year.

"I will miss this tournament for sure," she admitted. "I've seen the tournament grow from just being just a regular stop on the European Tour into becoming one of the best tournaments on the LPGA.

"But I haven't retired yet and I want another good week," she said. "I have another five months to play, and about 10 tournaments or so. My goal is to end the year as the No. 1 player on the LPGA Tour. I've got a chance."

The player most likely to stop her is Ochoa, who took over from Sorenstam as world No. 1 15 months ago and has already won six times this season. But she has not played since she failed to mount a challenge at last month's U.S. Women's Open.

"I've been working now a lot on my game, recharging the batteries," explained the Mexican, who defends the Ricoh Women's British Open at Sunningdale next week. "I always intended to take a break and be ready for the second part of the year."

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