Immigrant of the Day: Annika Sörenstam

Annika Sörenstam (born October 9, 1970 near Stockholm, Sweden) is a professional golfer whose achievements rank her as one of the most successful female golfers in history. She has won 69 official LPGA tournaments including ten majors, 17 other tournaments, and tops the LPGA’s career money list with earnings of over $20 million. The winner of a record eight Player of the Year awards, and six Vare Trophy’s (given to the LPGA player with the lowest seasonal scoring average), she is the only female golfer to shoot a 59 in competition. She holds various all-time scoring records including the lowest season scoring average (68.6969 in 2004). She made history at the Bank of America Colonial tournament in 2003 as the first woman to play in a men’s PGA Tour event since 1945. Her growing off course interests include the ANNIKA golf academy, golf course design, and a charitable foundation.

Sörenstam moved to the United States to attend college at the University of Arizona. She won seven collegiate titles and in 1991 became the first non-American and first freshman to win the individual NCAA National Championship. She was 1991 NCAA Co-Player of the Year, runner-up in the 1992 NCAA National Championship, 1992 Pac-10 champion, and a 1991-92 NCAA All-American.  Sörenstam turned professional in 1992.

KJ