Hello, Golf fans! If you love following the Golf and admire world-class, Annika Sörenstam is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Annika Sörenstam is widely seen as one of the greatest female golfers in history, with record-breaking wins, scoring records, and the highest career prize money in LPGA history as of 2025. Even after stepping away from full-time competitive golf, she remains a major figure in the game through business, course design, and junior golf initiatives.
Annika Sörenstam’s Biography
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Name | Annika Charlotta Sörenstam |
| Nickname | “Ms. 59” (after her historic score), “The Super Swede” |
| Born | October 9, 1970 |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Birthplace | Bro, Stockholm County, Sweden |
| College | University of Arizona (Tucson) |
| Nationality | Swedish-American |
| Height | 5’6.25″ (1.68 meters) |
| Turned Professional | 1992 |
| Net Worth | Approximately $40 million |
| Annual Salary | Variable; was earning $2-2.8 million annually during peak competitive years |
| Spouse | Mike McGee |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @annikas59 |
Early Career
Annika began playing golf at age twelve in her hometown of Bro, Sweden, and quickly emerged as a prodigious talent. Between 1987 and 1992, she represented Sweden’s National Golf Team, winning the individual competition at the 1992 Espirito Santo Trophy.
Before enrolling at university, she worked as a personal assistant at the Swedish PGA and competed on the Swedish Golf Tour, winning three tournaments during 1990-1991. After a coach spotted her competing in a collegiate event in Tokyo, she transferred to the University of Arizona, where her collegiate career became legendary and set the stage for professional dominance.
Professional Career
Sörenstam’s professional journey began in 1992 when she initially narrowly missed her LPGA Tour card by one shot at the qualifying tournament. Instead, she joined the Ladies European Tour, where she was named Rookie of the Year in 1993. Her breakthrough first professional victory came at the 1994 Holden Women’s Australian Open, followed by LPGA Rookie of the Year honors in 1994. The pivotal year of 1995 transformed her career when she won the U.S. Women’s Open, becoming the first non-American to win back-to-back titles in 1996.
From 2000 to 2008, Sörenstam achieved unprecedented consistency, winning multiple tournaments annually and dominating the LPGA Tour. Her incredible 2001 season saw her win eight tournaments and become the first woman to break 60 in a professional round. By the time she retired in 2008, she had accumulated 72 LPGA victories and amassed over $22.5 million in career earnings, still the all-time record for female golfers. Her final tournament win came in May 2008 at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, where she set a tournament scoring record.
Husband
Annika Sörenstam was previously married to David Esch, whom she met in 1994 at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona, where Esch worked for Ping golf equipment manufacturer. They married on January 4, 1997, at Lake Tahoe but divorced in August 2005 after eight years of marriage. The professional golfer subsequently married Mike McGee on January 10, 2009, at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. McGee serves as the managing director of the ANNIKA brand of businesses and is the son of former PGA Tour and Champions Tour professional Jerry McGee.
Together, Annika and Mike have two children. Their daughter, Ava Madelyn McGee, was born on September 1, 2009, when Annika was 38 years old. Their son, William Nicholas McGee, was born on March 21, 2011, arriving thirteen weeks premature, which made his arrival particularly memorable for the family.
Annika Sörenstam’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Annika Sörenstam’s net worth stands at approximately $40 million, making her one of the wealthiest female golfers in history. This substantial fortune stems from multiple revenue streams, including her record $22.5 million in LPGA career prize money, lucrative endorsement deals valued at approximately $4.65 million at their peak in 2004, and her extensive business ventures. Her wealth continues to grow through golf course design projects, the ANNIKA Academy, the ANNIKA Foundation, and her clothing line. Real estate investments have also contributed significantly, including a $7 million purchase of a 9,237 square-foot home at Lake Nona in Orlando, Florida, in 2009.
Prize Money
| Tournament Type | Prize Money | Notes |
| Total LPGA Career Earnings | $22,583,693 | Highest in LPGA history |
| Highest Annual Earnings (2002) | $2,863,904 | Record season with 11 wins |
| Highest Annual Earnings (2004) | $2,544,707 | 8 wins, 68.6969 scoring average |
| Highest Annual Earnings (2005) | $2,588,240 | 9 wins |
| Highest Annual Earnings (2003) | $2,029,506 | 9 wins |
| Highest Annual Earnings (2001) | $2,105,868 | 8 wins, first $2M season |
| 1995 U.S. Women’s Open Prize | $175,000 | First major win |
| 2001 Standard Register PING (59 win) | Approximately $250,000+ | Won with 59 in second round |
| Average Prize Per Start | $73,562 | Exceptional efficiency metric |
| Major Championship Average | Varied annually | 10 majors during 1995-2006 period |
Endorsement
Annika Sörenstam’s endorsement portfolio expanded significantly throughout her career, particularly after her groundbreaking appearance at the 2003 Bank of America Colonial PGA Tour event:
- Callaway Golf – Primary equipment sponsor and most prominent endorsement partner for clubs and gear
- Cutter & Buck – Golf apparel and wear sponsorship
- Mercedes-Benz – Luxury automotive partnership
- Kraft Foods – Major food brand endorsement
- Rolex – Prestigious watch and lifestyle brand
- Oakley – Eyewear and optical accessories
- ADT Security Systems – Technology and security services partnership
- Michelob Light – Beverage industry sponsorship
- Ping Golf – Equipment manufacturer partnership
These endorsement deals generated approximately $4.65 million in 2004 alone, making her one of the most marketable female athletes of her era. Her brand value transcended golf, with companies recognizing her appeal to mainstream audiences.
Career Records
| Record/Achievement | Details | Year Established |
| Only Woman to Shoot 59 | 13-under round in Standard Register PING (Moon Valley CC, Phoenix) | March 16, 2001 |
| Most Birdies in Single Round | 13 birdies in that same 59 round (LPGA record) | March 16, 2001 |
| Lowest Season Scoring Average | 68.6969 (LPGA record, still standing) | 2004 |
| LPGA Player of the Year | 8 awards (record, tied with previous holder) | 1995-2005 |
| Vare Trophy Awards | 6 awards for lowest scoring average | 1995-2006 |
| LPGA Tour Money List Leader | 8 times (tied with Kathy Whitworth) | 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001-2005 |
| Consecutive Major Championships | 3 consecutive LPGA Championships (2003-2005) | 2003-2005 |
| Five Consecutive Tournament Wins | Multiple instances, including 2001 stretch | 2001 |
| World Number One | 59 consecutive weeks at #1 | February 2006 – April 2007 |
| Career LPGA Wins | 72 official LPGA Tour victories | Through 2008 |
| Total Professional Wins | 96-97 worldwide victories | 1990-2008, 2021 |
| Career Prize Money | $22,583,693 (LPGA record, still #1) | Through 2008 |
| Tournament Efficiency | $73,562 average per tournament start | Career average |
| Major Championships | 10 women’s majors + 1 senior major | 1995-2006, 2021 |
| Playoff Record | 16 wins, 6 losses | Through 2008 |
FAQs
1. What does “Ms. 59” refer to?
“Ms. 59” is Annika’s iconic nickname earned in 2001 when she became the only woman in professional golf history to shoot a 59 in an official tournament. This achievement occurred during the second round of the Standard Register PING event, a 13-birdie performance that made Sörenstam a legend overnight and fundamentally changed perceptions about women’s golf capabilities.
2. How many major championships did Annika win?
Annika won 10 major championships during her professional career between 1995 and 2006. This includes three U.S. Women’s Open titles, three Kraft Nabisco Championship victories, three LPGA Championship wins, and one AIG Women’s Open championship. She also won the U.S. Senior Women’s Open in 2021 after returning to competitive golf following her initial retirement.
3. Why did Annika retire in 2008?
Annika retired from competitive professional golf at the end of 2008 to focus on starting a family with her husband Mike McGee and developing her business ventures under the ANNIKA brand. She was 38 years old when she retired and had achieved virtually every major goal in golf. Her final tournament was the Dubai Ladies Masters in November 2007, and her last LPGA win came in May 2008 at the Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill.
4. What is the ANNIKA Foundation?
The ANNIKA Foundation, founded in 2007, is Annika’s philanthropic organization dedicated to developing women’s golf globally and encouraging children to lead healthy, active lifestyles. The foundation provides golf opportunities at junior, collegiate, and professional levels, supports the ANNIKA Development Program for recent college graduates, and hosts The ANNIKA tournament on the LPGA Tour with a $3.25 million purse benefiting the foundation.
5. Has Annika competed professionally since her 2008 retirement?
Yes, Annika made a remarkable comeback in 2021 when she became eligible for the U.S. Senior Women’s Open after turning 50. She won that championship by eight strokes at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut, her first tournament victory in 13 years. She also played in LPGA Tour events as a senior, including the 2021 Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio.
6. What is the ANNIKA Academy?
The ANNIKA Academy, unveiled in 2007 at Reunion Resort & Club near Orlando, Florida, is a boutique golf academy providing instruction and coaching from one of golf’s greatest players. The academy offers online lessons and on-location instruction for individuals, groups, and corporate clients. Annika’s sister Charlotta, also an LPGA professional, serves as head instructor, and the academy provides customized training programs combining technical golf instruction with golf fitness conditioning.
7. Did Annika ever compete in men’s professional golf?
Yes, in 2003, Annika competed in the Bank of America Colonial on the PGA Tour, becoming the first woman to play in an official PGA Tour event since Babe Didrikson Zaharias in 1945. This historic appearance required a sponsor exemption and generated unprecedented media attention. Despite the pressure, Annika posted respectable scores of 71-74 to make the cut and earn widespread praise for her performance against male professionals.
8. What are Annika’s business ventures beyond golf instruction?
Beyond the ANNIKA Academy, Annika has built an extensive business empire including ANNIKA Course Design (golf course design services), ANNIKA Collection (high-end women’s golf apparel line), and various sponsorship deals with major brands. She has designed golf courses internationally, including projects in South Korea at Golden Bay Resort, and her courses emphasize accessibility and inclusivity for golfers of all levels and genders.
9. How has Annika contributed to advancing women in golf?
Annika has been a transformational figure for women’s golf through her record-breaking achievements, her 2003 PGA Tour appearance, her business ventures, and her ANNIKA Foundation work. She advocates for gender equity in golf course design, challenging industry stereotypes about courses designed for women. Her foundation has developed junior girls’ programs, the ANNIKA Invitational Europe amateur tournament, and supports junior development through the Solheim Cup qualification process.
10. What are Annika’s hobbies and interests outside golf?
Annika has diverse interests beyond competitive golf, including cooking, investments, real estate, and stock market activities. She has participated in cooking demonstrations at LPGA tournaments and has expressed interest in formal culinary education. Her interest in financial matters is well-documented, and she was invited to ring the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange in August 2006, reflecting her business acumen and investment success beyond golf.