Rachel Hetherington returns to golf; will not venture to U.S.

SYDNEY -- Rachel Hetherington is returning to professional golf after a four-year retirement and a career which included eight U.S. LPGA Tour titles and 62 top-10 finishes.

Australian Ladies Professional Golf said in a statement on Sunday that Hetherington started working with a new coach, Randall Hollands Smith, last April.

Hetherington will play an Australian circuit, and hopes to compete in the Australian Ladies Masters and the Women's Australian Open over the next two months.

She has no plans to return to the U.S. LPGA Tour: "I would miss family and clients too much."

The Australian won $5.7 million in prize money during her U.S. LPGA career. Three of her titles came in playoffs over former No. 1 Annika Sorenstam.