Former world No. 1 Ai Miyazato said Thursday she is savoring every moment on the course as she realizes her illustrious career is winding down with every swing.

"Every tournament is my last. I will do my best here so I leave no regrets," said Miyazato a day before the first round of the NW Arkansas Championship, her first tournament in the United States in nearly two months.

The 32-year-old Okinawa native, who announced that she would retire at season's end, tested her swing and green game at the Pinnacle Country Club -- the same place she had her last taste of victory.

In 2012, Miyazato won the NW Arkansas Championship with a 12-under-par 201 total for her ninth career title on the LPGA circuit. She also has 15 titles on the Japanese tour, her last coming in 2009 at the Sankyo Ladies Open.

Miyazato's playing partners in the qualifying rounds will be defending champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand, whose 84-week reign at the top of the world rankings ended earlier this month, and Rio Olympic champion Park In Bee of South Korea.

Miyazato had said on June 11 after the Suntory Ladies Open held in Kobe that her plan was to play on the U.S. tour until the Sept. 14-17 Evian Championship, the tournament where she memorably picked up her first title on the LPGA tour in 2009, when it was not a major.

But she did say rest is still up in the air, keeping alive fans' hopes of her making another appearance in her home country.

Japanese compatriot Sakura Yokomine, who has competed alongside Miyazato since her elementary school years, said she looks forward to playing on the same stage as her longtime rival and friend this weekend.

"I'm glad that we have the opportunity to compete in the same field despite the limited number of events (Miyazato has left)," said Yokomine.

Also for Japan, Harukyo Nomura, Ayako Uehara and Nasa Hataoka will be taking part in the 54-hole, $2 million event. Twelve of the world's top 20 ranked players are among the 144 competitors.

==Kyodo