‘The GOAT’: Golf World Lauds LPGA Legend Annika Sorenstam as She Celebrates 20 Years of Adding Another Feather To Her Hat

Published 05/26/2023, 10:13 AM EDT

Annika Sorenstam is one of the biggest names in the golf fraternity. She has achieved a lot of accolades throughout her career, for which the golfer has always received immense love and affection from fans. A woman competing in a PGA Tour Tournament is a rare sight. But whenever it happens, it is always a bliss to watch an LPGA golfer take on a PGA pro and shine bright. Sorenstam was the first golfer in nearly 60 years to take on the PGA pros at their event at Colonial, just about 20 years ago.

The Swedish golfer recently reminisced about all the anxious and joyful moments she had during that week when she was invited as a special guest of the Charles Schwab Challenge Executive Women’s Day luncheon. But what made that week so historic and special for everyone in the golf world?

What made the week at Colonial special for Annika Sorenstam?

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Twenty years ago, the then 32 year old golfer ranking number 1 at the time, got an exemption into the Bank of America Colonial, thus becoming the first female golfer to tee it up in a PGA Tour event since Babe Didrikson Zaharias at the 1945 Tucson Open.

When the tournament started on Monday in May 2003, a light drizzle turned into a downpour. Sorenstam just got three shots before the play was suspended. After round 1 ended on 22nd May 2003, she was at 1 under par.

Weather-wise, day 2 was still the same but it was not as cold. The 52-year-old golfer received a bouquet of 24 yellow roses from the tournament staff of the LPGA Corning Classic. When the day ended, Annika’s team was 6-under-par through 10 holes, heavily drenched but joyful. On day 3, when the golfer was walking to the tee, cheers were coming for her from all around. As mentioned on the PGA Tour website, fans were yelling things like, “You go girl!” “Go Annika!”, and “You da man!”

On day 4, she missed the cut. The crowd and fans were heartbroken. She knew that she had missed the cut, but on the 18th, she was still smiling. Just as she hit her final shot, and the ball disappeared, she got a standing ovation.

Glimpses of her memorable week were shared by the PGA Tour on its official Instagram page. The caption said, “An unforgettable week for @AnnikaS59 ❤️” It was indeed an unforgettable week for her, and for every golf fan out there! She was praising her fans in the photos and videos that were shared, and was even a little bit emotional…her words, “I am so happy I came.”

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The post garnered a lot of love from the fans, and rightfully so! Let us look at some of the love that fans have showered the golfer with.

Fans react to Sorenstam’s 20-year-old enduring week

Fans posted a lot of positive comments for the golfer and went ahead and celebrated the momentous occasion with Annika.

A fan called her, “The Goat,” whereas one called her, “Legend 👏,” and yet another called her, “Our queen bee 🐝”

One fan appreciated Sorensteam’s accomplishment with some claps, “What an accomplishment, @annikas59 👏👏”

A fan commented on the golfer’s game, “It almost doesn’t matter how well she did in a PGA event! It’s pretty clear her game is 🔥”

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“Her Drive is so smooth,” “Her swing is top tier. So clean,” “What an absolute pure swing though,” said fans praising her drive.

“Such a classy lady and superb athlete,” commented one golf fan.

Golf enthusiasts were excited and their energy was palpable in their praises of the golfer.

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What are your thoughts about Annika Sorenstam’s historic and iconic week at the Colonial? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Riya Singhal is a promising golf writer at EssentiallySports. She was recently recruited in the latest round of ‘ES Draft’ as one of the young writers with a strong passion for golf writing. Despite being in her early days, Riya has already showcased exceptional talent in her coverage of the sport, with her article on Brooks Koepka's kind gesture towards a young fan after his Masters loss quickly rising to the top of the charts.

Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

‘The GOAT’: Golf World Lauds LPGA Legend Annika Sorenstam as She Celebrates 20 Years of Adding Another Feather To Her Hat

What made the week at Colonial special for Annika Sorenstam?

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Fans react to Sorenstam’s 20-year-old enduring week