Gotta-Grip Golf Blog

Annika Sorenstam known by some as “Ms. 59”, the only woman golfer to turn in a score of 59 for a day’s work, announced she is retiring from the game. She will be missed, and it remains to be seen if/when she will be joined in that exclusive club of ONE.

When people like Tiger Woods consider you an amazing athlete on the golf course, as well as consider you a close friend, you know you have been good for the game of golf.

By retiring at the age of 37 (at the end of the 2008 season), she will hold short of becoming the all-time winning golfer on the LPGA. This will also prevent her from capturing more majors than others, but she certainly has nothing to feel unfulfilled about.

Annika Sorenstam stands at 72 all-time wins, and 10 majors, putting her in the company of Louise Suggs ( 58 wins, 11 majors), Patty Berg (60 wins, 15 majors), Mickey Wright, (82 wins, 13 majors), and Kathy Whitworth (88 wins, 6 majors). Annika, however is likely to stand alone in the “59 club” for some time.

Ms. 59 also leads the pack to the bank with over $22 million won during her career.

Annika made more history for being the first woman since 1945 (under a sponsor’s exemption), to compete on the PGA Tour at the 2003 Bank of America Colonial. For me, watching her teary-eyed remarks on TV after missing the cut, was almost like watching Dorothy leaving OZ. She indeed tested her mettle to the breaking point, using the scar tissue from that hurt to serve as her inspiration for the remainder of her career.

There are many newcomers on the LPGA Tour poised to take a shot at the throne Annika leaves behind. As she departs to start a family with her future husband Mike McGee, many are likely breathing a sigh of relief knowing their odds of winning just increased substantially.

You Go Girl!

The Gotta-Grip Team