FORMER TROJAN 7 OVER PARMLID `READY FOR SOME BIRDIES'.

Byline: Jill Painter Staff Writer

Mikaela Parmlid stepped off the ninth green at El Caballero Country Club and had to laugh.

After countless birdie opportunities - especially over the final five holes - she had finally converted on her final hole. It was almost comical.

It was just one of those days.

``The ball just kept rolling on the edge of the cup,'' said Parmlid, a USC product who shot a 7-over-par 79 in the first round of the Office Depot Championship on Friday. ``I'm ready to go get some birdies (today). There's always one more coming up. Everything slipped by.''

Including her 20-foot birdie putt on the eighth hole that hit the edge of the cup and ricocheted back a couple of feet.

She finished strong, sinking her 10-foot birdie putt on No. 9, and had started strong as well.

Parmlid, who made the tournament field as one of two sponsor's exemptions, parred the first hole after she was introduced at the 10th tee as the 2003 NCAA national champion. That always makes her feel good.

She won individual medalist honors and helped the Trojans win the team title. When she visited the White House in November, she received praise from President Bush, who said: ``The thing I like about (Parmlid), she was more interested in helping her team win.''

``It's something that will stick with me for life,'' Parmlid said. ``That was one of my goals I reached, as a team and an individual. It was quite an experience. It's brought me a lot of stuff - the experience, the confidence, the ability to get into tournaments.''

The Swede played in her first LPGA tournament at the Welch's/Fry's Championship in Tucson, Ariz., last month and made the cut. She shot a second-round 67 and finished tied for 60th, earning nearly $2,000.

Under the watchful eye of coach Katarina Vangdal, who is also a Swedish national team coach, Parmlid hit some impressive shots Friday and a few errant ones, too. On occasion, she outdrove playing partners Jenna Daniels and Jamie Hullett, regulars on the LPGA Tour.

Her tee shot on the par-3 eighth landed on the green as one fan marveled: ``Ahh, beauty, beauty. Look at that shot!''

Parmlid turned and tipped her visor.

But it wasn't all pretty. Parmlid mishit her approach shot on No. 7, and it bounced about 100 yards before settling in the left rough. She gently dropped her club and leaned over for a few seconds.

On the third hole, her drive went left and her recovery shot hit a tree for a triple bogey.

``She had one bad hole,'' said Vangdal, who has coached Parmlid since she was 15. ``I don't think she's happy with her score. But this is her rookie year. She just needs to get in tournaments.''

Parmlid spent the fall at USC, where she finished her economics degree in December and now is playing golf full time. She wants to play in as many tournaments as she can.

``It's a very good experience,'' Parmlid said. ``It's what I want to do as my career. It's very important to play tournaments. I'm learning a lot. It's very good for your game.''

Just like birdies.

Jill Painter, [phone]

jill.painter(at)dailynews.com