Sorenstam, Annika (1970–)

Swedish golfer. Born Oct 9, 1970, in Stockholm, Sweden; dau. of Tom and Gunilla Sorenstam; sister of Charlotta Sorenstam (golfer); attended University of Arizona; m. David Esch, 1997.

Began playing golf at 12; was a member of the Swedish national team (1987–92); was World Amateur champion (1992); won 7 collegiate titles; joined LPGA tour (1993); won US Open (1995, 1996); won Heartland Classic, Samsung World championship (1995, 1996, 2004), Betsy King Classic (1996, 1997), Chrysler-Plymouth Tournament of Champions (1997), Hawaiian Ladies Open (1997), ITT LPGA Tour championship (1997), Michelob Light Classic (1997, 1998, 1999), LPGA Classic (1998, 2000), SAFECO Classic (1998), Sara Lee Classic (1999), Circle K championship (2000, 2001), Kroger Classic (2000), Big Apple Classic (2000), Safeway LPGA championship (2000, 2003), Kraft Nabisco championship (2001, 2002, 2005), Mizuno Classic (2000, 2001, 2003), McDonald's LPGA championship (2003, 2004, 2005), Canadian Open (2001), British Open (2003), Corning Classic (2004), among others; was the 1st player in LPGA history to finish a season with a sub-to scoring average (69.99) in 1998; had 8 wins, 6 second-place finishes, and 20 top-10 finishes (2001); won 11 tournaments (2002), joining Mickey Wright as the only players to win 11 tournaments in one season; competed on the Solheim Cup Team; won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia (2002) and Compaq Open in Sweden (2002); set or tied 22 LPGA records (2003); became the 1st woman since 1945 to compete on the men's PGA Tour (2003). Was Rookie of the Year (1994); won Athlete of the Year award in Sweden (1995); named Rolex Player of the Year (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005); won Vare Trophy (1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2005); received ESPY Aard (1996, 1998–99, 2002–03); won LPGA's Patty Berg award (2003); inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame (2003).