FACTOIDS
Full Name: Annika Sorenstam
Nickname: Annika
Birthday: October 9, 1970
Height: 5’6”
Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Sports: Golf
Profile
Annika Sorenstam is one of the greatest female golfers ever - many would say she's the best ever. Combining a cool efficiency with a passionate desire to win, Sorenstam was among the best players on Tour from her debut in the mid-90s through the remainder of the decade. But as the century turned, Sorenstam went on a run of success that rivals or surpasses anything else ever seen on the LPGA Tour.
Sorenstam preferred tennis in her childhood, but took up golf at age 12. She quickly became good enough to start winning, but was very shy. She's said that she sometimes blew shots in order to finish second and avoid having to talk to anyone after a win.
Sorenstam attended the University of Arizona where she was a two-time All-America selection and co-player of the year in 1991. She won the 1991 NCAA Championship and the 1992 World Amateur Championship.
Sorenstam turned pro in 1993 and was Rookie of the Year on the Ladies European Tour. She moved up to the LPGA in 1994 and, although she didn't win, was Rookie of the Year there, too.
That first win finally came at the 1995 U.S. Women's Open, and Sorenstam took off on what might be the best career in LPGA history. From 1995 through 2006, Sorenstam won eight money titles and never finished lower than fourth. She won 69 tournaments and 10 majors in that span.
Sorenstam was one of the best players throughout the mid- to late-90s, winning three times in 1997, six in 1997, four in 1998, twice in 1999, and five times in 2000.
Then she rededicated herself to being the best, hitting the gym to add strength - and yards to her drives. She befriended Tiger Woods and picked up some of Woods' practice habits; she improved her chipping and putting.
Sorenstam's domination from 2001-2005 was complete: she was money leader, low scorer and Player of the Year every year. Her win totals included 11 in 2002 and 10 in 2005.
She became one of the longest hitters on the tour without losing any of her pinpoint accuracy. Along the way, she became much more comfortable in front of the cameras, her public demeanor becoming more confident, and won over many more fans.
At the 2003 Colonial, Sorenstam became the first woman since Babe Didrikson Zaharias to play on the PGA Tour. Sorenstam shot 71-75 and missed the cut, but earned plaudits for her play and the way she handled the publicity circus.
