Annika Sorenstam PGA
Professional 2002 Highlights Won a total of 11 titles, joining Mickey Wright as the only players to win 11 tournaments in one season (Wright won 11 times in 1964; she also won an LPGA-record 13 tournaments in 1963); Sorenstam is currently tied for eighth with Sandra Haynie on the LPGA's career victories list.
Earned her fifth Rolex Player of the Year title and fifth Vare Trophy, joining Kathy Whitworth as the only players in LPGA history to win both awards five or more times (Whitworth earned both awards a total of seven times).
Shattered the scoring record with a 68.70 average, marking the first time an LPGA player has finished a season below 69.00.
Earned an LPGA record $2,863,904, which is $1,141,623 more than Se Ri Pak earned as second on the money list; joins Kathy Whitworth (seven), Mickey Wright (five) and JoAnne Carner (five) as the only players to win the money list five or more times.
Set or tied a total of 20 LPGA records.
Won the first event of the season, the LPGA Takefuji Classic, by virtue of a one-hole, sudden-death playoff over Lorie Kane.
Won her fourth major championship title by successfully defending the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Her 11-stroke victory at the Kellogg-Keebler Classic tied the LPGA record for largest margin of victory in a 54-hole event (first set by Jan Stephenson at the 1981 Mary Kay Classic); also tied the LPGA records for lowest 54-hole winning score, 195 (-21), and the lowest first round by a winner, 63 (-9).
Won back-to-back-to-back tournaments at the Williams Championship, where she switched to cross-handed putting, the Safeway Classic, where she fired a season-low 62 during the second round, and the Samsung World Championship, her 40th career win.
At the Samsung World Championship, became the second-fastest player (behind Mickey Wright) to win 40 LPGA tournaments at eight years, nine months and five days; also became the first player since Nancy Lopez in 1978 to win nine tournaments in a season.
Successfully defended her title at the Mizuno Classic to become the first player since Carol Mann and Kathy Whitworth in 1968 to win 10 tournaments in a season; won the season-ending ADT Championship for her 11th victory of the year.
Other titles came at the Aerus Electrolux USA Championship Hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Evian Masters and ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Finished second at the PING Banner Health after a two-hole, sudden-death playoff with Rachel Teske, one of three runner-up finishes of the season.
Crossed the $1 million mark in season earnings after a third-place finish at the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by AIG, tying her own record from 2001 for fastest to reach that milestone (10 events); crossed the $2 million mark in season earnings with her win at the Williams Championship, her 16th event, breaking her own record from 2001 for fastest to reach that milestone (26 events).
Became the first player in LPGA history to reach $9 million (with a tie for third at the Asahi Ryokyken International Championship at Mount Vintage), $10 million (with a third-place finish at the U.S. Women's Open) and $11 million (with her win at the ADT Championship) in career earnings.
From the first round of the Williams Championship to the first round of the Mobile LPGA Tournament of Champions Presented by Ultimate Software, posted 11 consecutive rounds in the 60s, an LPGA record (previous mark was nine rounds by Beth Daniel, 1990).
Recorded the third hole-in-one of her career during the first round of the Samsung World Championship.
Competed on her fifth consecutive European Solheim Cup Team and posted a 3-1-1 record.
Won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia and Compaq Open in Sweden on the Evian Ladies European Tour, giving her 13 wins in 25 starts worldwide.
2002 Stats (rank)
Rds under par: 60/76 (1) Rds in the 60s: 45/76 (1) Birdies: 341 (3)
Eagles: 10 (3) Greens in reg: 79.7% (1) Driving accuracy: 80.3% (5)
Sand saves: 38.8% (56) Putting avg: 29.66 (39) Driving avg: 265.6 (4)
Career Highlights
In 2001, recorded eight wins, six second-place finishes, and a total of 20 top-10 finishes en route to her fourth career Rolex Player of the Year Award, Vare Trophy and money title; set or tied a total of 30 LPGA records, including a 59 (-13) during the second round of the Standard Register PING; became the first LPGA player to cross the $2 million mark in single-season earnings; tied the LPGA record for wins in consecutive weeks with four-straight victories at the Welch's/Circle K Championship, Standard Register PING, Nabisco Championship and The Office Depot Hosted by Amy Alcott; came from 10 strokes behind on the final day to win The Office Depot Hosted by Amy Alcott, tying the LPGA record for largest come-from-behind victory (Mickey Wright came from 10 strokes back on the final day to win the 1964 Tall City Open); became the first LPGA player to cross the $7 million and $8 million mark in career earnings; won the State Farm LPGA Series Bonus Pool; teamed with Tiger Woods to defeat Karrie Webb and David Duval in the Lincoln Financial Group Battle at Bighorn, marking the LPGA's first-ever appearance on "prime-time" television.
In 2000, won her first title of the season in a sudden-death playoff with Pat Hurst at the Welch’s/Circle K Championship, which gave Sorenstam the requisite 27 points to qualify for the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, however, she must fulfill the 10-year Tour membership requirement, which will be met at the conclusion of the 2003 season; won the Firstar LPGA Classic in conjunction with the Children’s Medical Center; defeated Webb, who beat her in a playoff at the LPGA Takefuji Classic earlier in the season, in a sudden-death playoff at the Evian Masters; won back-to-back titles at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic and Japan Airlines Big Apple Classic; defeated Rachel Hetherington (Teske), who dealt the Swede her first career playoff loss in 1998, in a two-hole playoff at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic; recorded her second career hole-in-one during the third round of the Welch’s/Circle K Championship; crossed the $5 million mark in career earnings after the Standard Register PING and the $6 million mark following the Safeway LPGA Golf Championship; earned two points for the victorious European Solheim Cup Team.
Won more LPGA tournaments than any other Tour player in the 1990s (18).
In 1999, won the Michelob Light Classic in a three-hole playoff with Tina Barrett; won her third consecutive victory at the Michelob Light Classic, making her one of six players in LPGA history to win the same event three consecutive times; won the New Albany Golf Classic with all four rounds in the 60s; was a runner-up four times, including a one-hole playoff loss to fellow Swede Catrin Nilsmark at the Valley of the Stars Championship; fired a 61 (-11) during the first round of the Sara Lee Classic, which is the lowest first round in LPGA history; recorded her first career hole-in-one during the third round of the Standard Register PING; crossed the $4 million mark in career earnings.
In 1998, defeated Donna Andrews on the second hole of a sudden-death playoff at the Michelob Light Classic; won the ShopRite LPGA Classic and JAL Big Apple Classic with all rounds in the 60s; recorded her 16th career victory at the SAFECO Classic; recorded her first sudden-death playoff loss at the First Union Betsy King Classic to Hetherington (Teske); crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings; became the first player in LPGA history to finish a season with a sub-70 scoring average (69.99); won her third Rolex Player of the Year and third Vare Trophy.
In 1997, captured six titles – the Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions, Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open, Longs Drugs Challenge (in a two-hole playoff with Pamela Kometani), Michelob Light Classic, CoreStates Betsy King Classic (where she successfully defended her title) and ITT LPGA Tour Championship (in a three-hole playoff with Lorie Kane and Pat Hurst); won the JCPenney/LPGA Skins Game with eight skins worth $220,000; crossed the $2 million milestone in career earnings after her victory at the Longs Drugs Challenge; won her second Rolex Player of the Year title.
In 1996, won three tournaments – successfully defended her title at both the U.S. Women’s Open and Samsung World Championship of Women’s Golf and won the CoreStates Betsy King Classic; surpassed the $1 million mark in career earnings; won her second consecutive Vare Trophy for lowest season scoring average.
In 1995, became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the U.S. Women’s Open, making her the 13th LPGA player to have the Open as her first LPGA career victory; won the GHP Heartland Classic by 10 strokes; won the Samsung World Championship of Women’s Golf with a 45-foot chip-in on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff with Laura Davies; became the second international player to win Rolex Player of the Year; is the only player besides Nancy Lopez to have won Rolex Rookie of the Year and then the Rolex Player of the Year and Vare Trophy the following year; became the first international player to win the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average; also led the Women Professional Golfers’ European Tour (WPGET) Order of Merit on the strength of two wins.
In 1994, was the Rolex Rookie of the Year on the strength of three top-10 finishes, including a season-best tie for second at the Weetabix Women’s British Open.
In 1993, competed in three LPGA events before joining the Tour, earning more than $47,000; tied for 38th at the PING Welch’s Championship in Tucson, Ariz., placed fourth at the Standard Register PING and tied for ninth at the Las Vegas LPGA at Canyon Gate; was the Rookie of the Year on the WPGET.
Amateur
A member of the Swedish National Team from 1987-92, Sorenstam enjoyed a very successful amateur career. In 1992, she was the World Amateur champion, runner-up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the second-lowest amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open. In addition to winning seven collegiate titles during her career at the University of Arizona, she was the 1991 NCAA Co-College Player of the Year (with Kelly Robbins), 1991 NCAA champion and runner-up the following year, 1992 PAC-10 champion and 1991-92 NCAA All-American.
Personal
5’6”, blond hair, blue eyes…Started playing golf at the age of 12…Credits her parents, Tom and Gunilla, and her sister Lotta (Charlotta) as the individuals most influencing her career…Her sister Charlotta also is an LPGA Tour member…In 1995, she won the Athlete of the Year Award in Sweden, the country’s most prestigious award in sports…Recognized during the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA’s top 50 players and teachers…Married David Esch on Jan. 4, 1997…Hobbies include sports, music and cooking…Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt…Has met the playing requirements for the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, but must still meet the 10-year membership requirement before qualifying…Represents Callaway Golf, Mercedes-Benz, Oakley, Cutter & Buck, Rolex, Kraft and Microsoft..
Victories, Awards, Etc. LPGA Victories (43): 1995 U.S. Women’s Open, GHP Heartland Classic, Samsung World Championship of Women’s Golf. 1996 U.S. Women’s Open, CoreStates Betsy King Classic, Samsung World Championship of Women’s Golf. 1997 Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions, Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open, Longs Drugs Challenge, Michelob Light Classic, CoreStates Betsy King Classic, ITT LPGA Tour Championship. 1998 Michelob Light Classic, ShopRite LPGA Classic, JAL Big Apple Classic, SAFECO Classic. 1999 Michelob Light Classic, New Albany Golf Classic. 2000 Welch’s/Circle K Championship, Firstar LPGA Classic in conjunction with the Children’s Medical Center, Evian Masters, Jamie Farr Kroger Classic, Japan Airlines Big Apple Classic. 2001 Welch’s/Circle K Championship, Standard Register PING, Nabisco Championship, The Office Depot Hosted by Amy Alcott, Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez, Bank of Montreal Canadian Women’s Open, CISCO World Ladies Match Play Championship, Mizuno Classic. 2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic, Kraft Nabisco Championship, Aerus Electrolux USA Championship hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Kellogg-Keebler Classic, Evian Masters, ShopRite LPGA Classic. Williams Championship, Safeway Classic, Samsung World Championship, Mizuno Classic, ADT Championship. 2003 The Office Depot Championship Hosted by Amy Alcott.
Unofficial Victories (2):
1997 JCPenney/LPGA Skins Game. 2001 Wendy’s Three-Tour Challenge (with Dottie Pepper and Karrie Webb).
LPGA Awards (13): Rolex Player of the Year (5), Vare Trophy (5), Rolex Rookie of the Year (1). 1994 Rolex Rookie of the Year. 1995 Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy. 1996 Vare Trophy. 1997 Rolex Player of the Year. 1998 Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy. 2001 Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy. 2002 Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy. 2002 Rolex Player of the Year, Vare Trophy, Crowne Plaza Achievement Award.
The Solheim Cup (5): 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002.
Major Championship History
The U.S. Women's Open became an LPGA major in 1950; the McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by AIG became a major in 1955; the Kraft Nabisco Championship became a major in 1983; and the Weetabix Women's British Open became a major championship in 2001. From 1979-2000 the LPGA's fourth major was the du Maurier Classic. The Weetabix Women's British Open replaced the du Maurier Classic in 2001. (KNC, Kraft Nabisco Championship; LPGA, McDonald's LPGA Championship Presented by AIG; OPEN, U.S. Women's Open; WB, Weetabix Women's British Open; DM, du Maurier Classic)
Event 92 94 95 96 97
KNC DNP DNP T24 T2 T8
LPGA DNP DNP 10 T14 3
OPEN T64 DNP 1 1 MC
DM/WB DNP^ T22^ T45^ T6^ MC^
Event 98 99 00 01 02
KNC T7 T7 T17 1 1
LPGA T30 T16 T12 5 3
OPEN T41 MC T9 T16 2
DM/WB 2^ DNP^ 3^ T32 MC
^ indicates finishes in the du Maurier Classic.
Sorenstam's LPGA Record
1992-93 information indicates record before originally qualifying for the LPGA Tour.
Year # events Cuts made W 2 3 Top 10s Best Money Rk. Scor. avg
1992 1 1 0 0 0 0 T64 N/A N/A 77.00
1993 3 3 0 0 0 2 4 $47,319 N/A 71.09
1994 18 14 0 1 0 3 T2 127,451 39 71.90
1995 19 19 3 3 1 12 1 666,533 1 71.00
1996 20 20 3 2 1 14 1 808,311 3 70.47
1997 22 20 6 5 3 16 1 1,236,789 1 70.04
1998 21 21 4 4 2 17 1 1,092,748 1 69.99
1999 22 21 2 4 3 12 1 863,816 4 70.40
2000 22 22 5 2 4 15 1 1,404,948 2 70.47
2001 26 26 8 6 1 20 1 2,105,868 1 69.42
2002 23 22 11 3 3 20 1 2,863,904 1 68.70
