Catching Up With Annika Sorenstam

Sorenstam established one of golf’s all-time illustrious careers, hoisting 10 major titles — including three Chevron Championships, three U.S. Women’s Opens, three Women’s PGA Championships, and one Women’s British Open. Her 72 LPGA Tour victories rank third all-time, behind only Kathy Whitworth (88) and Mickey Wright (82). In 2001, she also became the only woman to post a sub-60 round in an LPGA Tour event, shooting a 59 at the Standard Register Ping in Arizona.

While still at the top of her game, Sorenstam retired in 2008 at age 38. She held the No. 1 ranking in the world for 61 weeks, but she had other priorities. She and her husband, Mike McGee, who is also the managing director for the Annika brand, have two children, Ava, 15, and Will, 14.

Sorenstam and Will have played together three times in the PNC Championship, which was initially a father-son tournament for major champions. Sorenstam became the first woman to compete in it — first partnering with her father, Tom. Years later, she returned to the event alongside her son, creating another pioneering moment in the tournament’s evolution. Their bond captured widespread attention in 2023, when an emotional post-round interview went viral — both Sorenstam and Will tearing up as they spoke about how much it meant to share the experience together.

“I enjoy it,” she said of the two-day, 36-hole scramble format. “It’s different. I’m still quite competitive, as you can imagine. It’s not the same level, but I enjoy the memories we create together. Being out there and the fun times. Golf has a different purpose than it used to. I’m seeing a different part of it. Growing up, it was playing as a junior — that was fun. Then it was competitive. And now, I get different enjoyment out of it.”

Sorenstam, now 54, doesn’t compete often — but when she does, it’s like old times. She won the U.S. Women’s Senior Open in 2021.

Sorenstam is nearly as busy as she was during her playing days, especially with her Annika Foundation, the nonprofit she launched in 2007 to develop, empower, and advance girls and women around the world through golf.

The foundation provides opportunities in women’s golf at the junior, collegiate, and professional levels while teaching young people the importance of personal development, including living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. It also has a developmental program, the Annika Women’s All Pro Tour (ANNIKA WAPT). The 13-event season’s goal is to help young professionals earn a path to the Epson Tour and LPGA Tour.

The foundation is Sorenstam’s way of saying thank you to the sport of golf. “[It creates] opportunities for young girls around the world so they can follow their dreams that I’m living,” she said. “It was one of those things — you start small. You don’t know where it’s taking you. It’s been great. It’s been really fun. I get inspired by these young ladies and enjoy giving back. I enjoy growing the game of golf. It keeps me still involved.”

Beyond her foundation work, Sorenstam has pursued ventures in golf course design and golf apparel. She’s a member at Augusta National. She was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2021. She’s committed to continuing her impact in golf — a sport that’s taken her far beyond anything she ever imagined.

“It’s overexceeded my dreams and expectations. Starting playing as a young girl in Sweden, you never know where life will take you,” she said. “It’s been really overwhelming sometimes. I welcome the acknowledgement and recognition, no doubt. I’ll continue what I can in the sport to make an impact for the future. I look back and I’m proud of it, and I am thankful.”