Annika Sorenstam - A Woman In The Golf World

Born October 9, 1970 in Stockholm, Sweden, Annika Sorenstam developed into the most dominant golfer, male or female, in the history of golf. As she was growing up, her parents nurtured her love of sports. As a child, she played soccer and was also nationally ranked junior tennis player. At the age of 12, she began playing golf. Her sister Charlotta also played golf, so the two sisters had to share their first set of golf clubs.

Annika worked as a personal assistant at the Swedish PGA while waiting to start college in Sweden. She played in the Swedish Ladies Telia Tour and won three tournaments during 1990 through 1991. A coach spotted her in a collegiate event in Tokyo and she then moved to the University of Arizona afterward. Here she won seven collegiate titles. In l991 she became the first non-American and first freshman to win the individual NCAA National Championship. In 1990 and 1992, Annika won the championship in the World Amateur Golf Team Championships.

Annika turned pro in 1992 and joined the LPGA Tour in 1994. Unprecedented attention to women's golf was brought on by her success. Annika's successful career has brought her numerous awards and titles. She won 72 official LPGA tournaments, 10 being major, 18 other international tournaments, plus many others. Some awards were eight player of the year awards and six Vare Trophies. These are given to the LGPA player with the lowest seasonal scoring average. She tied and set many golfing records. She was also the second woman to play against men at the Colonial in Ft Worth, Texas. Annika always plays golf with a single focus, controlled precision, and a cool efficiency with a passionate desire to win. She will be retiring at the end of the 2008 season.