Safeway International field: The LPGA stop in the East Valley released its field this week, with the top 40 money winners from 2006 all in the fold. That list includes the top three earners from last season – Lorena Ochoa, Karrie Webb and Annika Sorenstam, who finished 1-2-3, respectively.

“We are extremely excited that we are going to have such a strong field, with 96 currently active players from the top 100 money list who will be in the East Valley,’’ said Tom Maletis, the president of the Portland-based Tournament Golf Foundation that sponsors the Safeway International

The Safeway International typically draws one of the best non-major championship fields on the LPGA. Last year, record crowds that topped 100,000 fans turned out for the event, which this year will be held March 22-25 at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.

Juli Inkster is the defending champ, having rallied with a 5-under-par 67 in the final round to beat Korea’s Sara Lee by two shots. Inkster unseated Sorenstam, who had been going for a record third straight Safeway International title since the tournament was moved to Superstition Mountain in 2004.

Other notables in the field include Paula Creamer, who captured the season-opening SBS Open, and Stacy Prammanasudh, who claimed the Fields Open the following week. Also in the field are Natalie Gulbis, Morgan Pressel, Ai Miyazato and Cristie Kerr. Past champions also include four-time winner Laura Davies.

The LPGA plays in Mexico this week, where Annika Sorenstam is the defending champion in the MasterCard Classic Honoring Alejo Peralta. The women have next week off before coming to the East Valley.

Fans can purchase two daily tickets for $20 at any Safeway store in Arizona. Weekly passes are $50. For information, visit www.safewaygolf.com.

ON TOUR

Lopez comeback: Nancy Lopez announced this week that she plans to come out of retirement and play in “five or six events this year.’’ The 50-year-old Hall of Famer said she feels like returning to action because she is in better shape after losing 30 pounds.

“Watching Paul (Creamer) and Natalie (Gulbis) and those young players hit the ball . . . it just motivated me to do it one more time,’’ said Lopez, who has played in only 11 LPGA events since 2002, and has not had a top 10 finish since 1997.

Lopez on Wie: During her press conference at the University of Nebraska to announce her comeback, Lopez said “feels sorry’’ for Michelle Wie. She also reiterated that Wie needs to win against the women before she plays more golf on the PGA Tour.

“I know she’s making a lot of money, but eventually, if you don’t win, the money will go away,’’ Lopez said. “I think whoever is guiding her and whatever direction they’re taking her, they need to give her a hug and let her be a little girl for awhile, and not make her grow up so quickly.’’

NOTEWORTHY

Honored: Billy Mayfair was honored with the Bob Goldwater Sr. Ambassador of Golf Award on Tueday night during ceremonies conducted by the Southwest Golf Media Association at Moon Valley Country Club. Mayfair, a long-time PGA Tour from Scottsdale who battled testicular cancer last season, was presented the award for his contributions to Arizona golf and the game in general.

John Davis of the Arizona Republic received the Golf Media Award for his contributions to Arizona golf, and The Gallery Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana was named the Club of the Year after hosting the recent WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship.

Promoted: Don Yrene, the Southwest Section of the PGA’s player of year the past four seasons, has been named the director of golf at the Golf Club Scottsdale. Yrene, who was the low club pro at last year’s PGA Championship, was promoted from head golf professional.

And finally: Entries are now being accepted for the pro-am portion of the ReBath Heather Farr Classic, which features some of the nation’s top players from the American Junior Golf Association. The pro-am and tournament take place April 5-8 at Longbow Golf Club in Mesa. To enter, visit www.longbowgolf.com.