Annika Sorenstam

Mister Sifter

Women's golf never really gets a mention on here, but think this is more than worthy of a shout. An unbelievable record...


Annika Sorenstam, one of the most successful golfers in the history of the women's game, has announced she will retire at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old Swede, the world number two, has won 72 LPGA tournaments and 10 major titles.

She wants to focus on her business interests and start a family with fiancé Mike McGee.

"Because I love the game so much, this is obviously a hard decision, but it feels like the right one," she said.

Sorenstam struggled with injury in 2007 and was overtaken at the top of the rankings by Mexican Lorena Ochoa.

But the fit-again Swede has won three times already this year and secured her 90th professional career title by cruising to victory at the Michelob Ultra on Sunday.

"I wanted to leave on my terms when it felt right. I didn't want an injury to take me away from this game. Now I feel at peace," said Sorenstam, who made her announcement at a news conference before this week's Sybase Classic in New Jersey.

"I am very proud of what I have accomplished as a professional golfer, and while I will no longer be playing competitively, I will continue to be very involved and engaged in the game of golf.

"I have given it my all, and it's been fun but I made this decision because I have a number of other priorities in my life, including starting a family, that I want to be as dedicated to as I have been to playing golf.

"I am going to focus on my game the next seven months. I'm a huge competitor and right now I'm second on the money list, and people that know me, know I don't settle for second."

An injury-ravaged 2007 season, coupled with the emergence of Mexican Lorena Ochoa, who surpassed her at the top of the rankings 13 months ago, will have hastened Sorenstam's decision to quit.

Sorenstam dominated women's golf from the mid-90s, and has won three US Women's Opens, three LPGA Championships, three Nabisco Championships and a Women's British Open.

Between 2001 and 2005 Sorenstam won more majors than Tiger Woods - seven to five - but back and neck injuries hampered her in 2007 where, for the first time in 12 years, she failed to win an event on the LPGA Tour.

She stands third on the all-time LPGA win list behind record-holder Kathy Whitworth's 88 titles and Mickey Wright's 82.

The Swede earned a record eight player of the year awards on the LPGA Tour after starting on the circuit in 1994, and was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.

She is the only woman to have shot 59 in a tournament but will forever be remembered for becoming the first female in 58 years to compete on the men's US Tour in 2003.

Despite missing the cut in Texas, she more than held her own and gained worldwide recognition for the way in which she coped with the scrutiny.

Sorenstam, who will get married for the second time in January, opened a golf academy near her home in Orlando last year and has several other ventures, including course design.

AWARDS & VICTORIES
US Women's Open: 1995, 1996 & 2006
Women's British Open: 2003
Kraft Nabisco Championship: 2001, 2002 & 2005
LPGA Championship: 2003, 2004 & 2005
Eight Rolex Player of the Year awards: 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005
Named European Player of the Year: 2004 and 2005
Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame: 2003
Lowest scoring average for one season: 68.69 (2004)

Par72

A tremendous record. Such a shame that she is retiring so early, I'm sure she has plenty of wins left in her.

bigtimecharlie

Hats off to her, great ambassador for the red tee's.

Par72

bigtimecharlie wrote: »

Hats off to her, great ambassador for the red tee's.

I doubt she's played off many red tees in her day.