“It caught me by surprise, like everyone else. At the same time, we
knew it would happen eventually. I have mixed feelings. I do want to
say that now that we know it’s the last year, we really want to enjoy
it, enjoy the time that we have. I will miss Annika a lot. She did so
much for the LPGA and for golf. And congratulations. It was her
decision, on her terms. She’s ready to enjoy life in a different way.
“Since I started playing pro golf, I knew I wanted to be around for 10
to 12 years. I’m just halfway. There’s a lot more I want to achieve in
golf – both inside and outside the golf course. I still have a little
more to go.
“It’s impossible to put into words what she’ll be remembered for.
She did so much, and for so long. She dominated the game for so long.
For me, personally, I’m who I am because of her. She motivated me to be
better, to be stronger. I want (people) to know that I wanted to be
like her.”
– Lorena Ochoa
“It’s sad to see the greatest female golfer of all time step away from
the game. But it’s nice to see Annika did it on her terms. It has been
a pleasure watching Annika player for all of these years, but even more
an honor to call her a friend.”
– Tiger Woods
“This would be very much like Annika to get on top and then quit.”
– Judy Rankin, a Hall of Famer and television analyst
“I looked up to Annika since I was little – she’s such a great
competitor. It’s unreal what she’s accomplished, and with the utmost
class. Obviously, she’ll be remembered for all her records and
accomplishments. The thing is, you knew she was going to win or be in
contention every time she teed it up. . . . For me to have won my first
LPGA title over the No. 1 player in the world at the time, and one of
the all-time greats, what could be better than that?. . . . There are
no words to describe Annika Sorenstam. She brought women’s golf to the
forefront. She’s why the LPGA is where it is right now. I guess I’ll
tell her that she’s going to have an even better next couple of years,
and that I know she’ll enjoy them tremendously. . . . It’s going to be
weird not to see her out there next year.”
– LPGA player Meaghan Francella
“Annika meant a lot to the tour. She raised the bar for women’s golf a
few years back. She set such a high standard. And she’s an amazing
woman. It was such a learning experience every time I got to play with
her.”
– LPGA player Lindsey Wright
“Annika may very well have an even longer-lasting impact on the game of
golf in her next career as a businesswoman, as an entrepreneur and as a
spokesperson for women’s golf and golf in general than she’s had with
all the records that she’s set on the course.’’
– LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens
“There are some great ones, but few have accomplished what Annika has done in such a short time.”
– Former LPGA player Amy Alcott
“I was a little surprised. Especially after coming off a win last week
and where Lorena’s at right now. But it’s understandable. Everybody’s
different. She’s always been the type where if she does something,
she’s going to put 100 percent into it. It’s very hard to do that when
you have a family. There’s a little more give and take. There are days
when family is more important than golf. Golf right now is her No. 1
priority. I don’t know her reasoning, but if she wants to start a
family, she’s the kind of person who’s going to put 100 percent into
it. . . . She’s one of the best players ever to play.”
– LPGA player Pat Hurst
“I'm not that surprised. I'm happy for her. What is she, 37? She was No. 1 for so long, and she's come back from a horrible injury to win three times this year already. I'm sure she's ready to have a life. . . . She'll always be the one who popularized the LPGA. She was such a dominant player. She motivated a lot of little girls, a lot of little girls who are on tour now. She showed us what you have to do to be No. 1 and to stay there. She's also been a great ambassador for us. She's very shy, and I'm sure it was hard for her to overcome that. She's definitely made the LPGA a better place for the rest of us: purses, competition, work ethic, all that stuff.
“Her retirement might make veterans think a bit more about retirement.
Of course, she's in a different place financially than a lot of the
rest of us are!”
– LPGA player Kim Hall“Throughout her career, Annika has been a consummate professional in
every respect. She has been an inspiration and a role model to
generations of golfers, including many of her fellow professionals, all
of whom recognize the enormity of what she has achieved over her
fabulous career. From becoming the LET’s (Ladies European Tour’s)
Rookie of the Year in 1993, to competing in eight Solheim Cups and
claiming 88 titles worldwide, including 10 major championships,
Annika’s achievements have been nothing short of outstanding. We are
fortunate in that we can continue to watch Annika compete over the
coming months, but next year she will be sadly missed by everyone at
the Ladies European Tour. We would like to thank Annika for everything
that she has done for women’s golf and for contributing to the growth
of the LET. We wish her every success for the future.”
– Alexandra Armas, executive director of the Ladies European Tour
“After 70-something wins? I’d be so gone. What else does she need to
do? This is our job, and if you could walk away from it when you’re 37,
then I’d do it.”
– PGA Tour player Jason Gore
“If you’re going to go out, it would be good to go out on top. She’s going out on her terms.”
– PGA Tour player J.J. Henry
“She bench-pressed 145 pounds (last) Wednesday. That’s the good-old days right there. This has nothing to do with her ability.”
– Kai Fusser, Sorenstam’s trainer
Posted: 5/13/2008
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