Annika Sorenstam is going out near the top, on the back nine of her
prime, with plenty of gas left in the tank if she were inclined to burn
it. That’s the rarity here. Not many elite athletes bow out when still
among the top couple in their sport.
Bobby Jones, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, and Pete Sampras are others from
the upper echelon who left competition healthy and on their terms, when
more glory if not money was readily within reach.
Sorenstam, 37, says she doesn’t plan to compete on the LPGA after
this year. She says she’s happy, though her eyes and tone didn’t quite
jibe with that during her news conference today announcing her plans.
She says she’s content with her record, that reaching Kathy Whitworth’s
record 88 victories, just 16 away, doesn’t motivate her.
Hers is a matter of putting life over craft. She’s getting married in
January and plans to have a family. She says she doesn’t want to divert that
focus with the grind of competitive golf. She said it’s all or nothing.
That’s not the norm in a world where so many achievers find balance,
but that’s what she says she wants.
There’s honor in valuing full-throttle excellence over half-baked
effort just for a cash grab. That said, let’s hope she has no regets
someday that she didn’t fulfill her long-term potential and milk her
skill for all it’s worth.
Candles burn at different lengths. Sorenstam gave the impression she’s
happy to leave the “daily grind” behind. That speaks of a declining
passion. That’s what the public doesn’t see – the hard work and
dedication that goes into being the best at something. The games are
the fun part, as you might have heard Brett Favre say upon retiring.
The preparation, particularly for the perfectionist, is the part that
mirrors enthusiasm.
The announcement might seem curious, for it follows her third victory
of the year, this one by rout. But only the athlete in her will know
whether the grind still appeals, whether practicing putting three hours
a day is top priority.
Apparently Sorenstam is listening to herself. She says it’s time. And, really, who can argue with the value of family first?
Posted: 5/13/2008
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