Eight-time LPGA Player of the Year Annika Sorenstam takes questions at the SMU Athletic Forum Luncheon Thursday morning at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. (Kevin Todora)
After winning an unprecedented 72 LPGA tournaments and golfing alongside some of the best women (and men) in the world, it would seem nothing can intimidate World Golf Hall of Fame inductee Annika Sorenstam, with one exception – public speaking.
“I love to play and I love to compete,” she said. “But giving a winning speech or just being in front of cameras or being onstage just wasn’t my cup of tea.”
Sorenstam, who retired following the 2008 LPGA season, was able to overcome her anxiety when she spoke before a packed house at the Guaranty Bank-SMU Athletic Forum Thursday afternoon at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.
The Stockholm, Sweden, native decided to call it a career at age 38 to focus on her family and life outside of golf.
“I’ve been playing since I was 12 and … really haven’t had a dull moment,” Sorenstam said. “But I’m leaving at a good time. I feel good about myself, I feel good about my game. I’m leaving at the top.
“Winning another tournament wasn’t going to change my life,” she said.
While winning those tournaments – a total of 88, including her time on the Ladies European Tour – Sorenstam was named the Rolex Player of the Year eight times and the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year three times. Her success during a 15-year professional career brought attention to women’s golf across the globe.
“I must admit I’ve achieved a lot more than I thought I could,” she said.
When asked if she could have one mulligan looking back at her career, Sorenstam said there would be many.
“But I think I’ve learned more from not winning a tournament than winning,” she said. “As long as you’re out there and you give 100 percent, that’s all you can do sometimes.”
She broke boundaries again in 2003 when she was invited to play in Dallas’ Colonial Tournament. But being the only female in the midst of the best men’s golfers in the world was nothing new to Sorenstam.
“I grew up playing with the boys on my home club, I’ve played with Tiger [Woods],” she said. “So when I was offered a spot I never hesitated. To the contrary, I was excited.”
As for today’s LPGA players, Sorenstam thinks the future is bright.
“The depth is there,” she said. “I can’t think of a tougher time to be in sports and endorsements, but I certainly think the LPGA Tour has come a long way and we have a lot of room for growth as well, which is great to see.”
While she watches the sport grow, Sorenstam said she will use her newfound free time to focus on hobbies such as investing and cooking. She is also actively trying to make golf a part of the 2016 Olympics.
Five years down the road, she said, “I hope to be healthy. I’d love to watch my business grow, maybe start a family.
“I don’t know if I’ll be playing, though. That’s still a little vivid in my imagination.”
