World Golf Hall of Fame Profile: Annika Sorenstam

Annika Sorenstam's journey is still unfolding. As good as it has been, her best may still lie ahead.

In her first 12 seasons, Sorenstam has built one of the greatest careers in the history of women's golf. Her 71 official victories place her third on the LPGA's all-time list, and her nine major championships rank fifth.

Beyond the numbers, Sorenstam is also the first woman professional golfer to extend the limits of her sport. Beginning in 2000, her dedication to an intense exercise regimen has transformed her body and improved her performance, just as Martina Navratilova did in tennis.

Then in 2003, Sorenstam achieved a transcendent moment when she accepted a sponsor's exemption to compete in the PGA TOUR's Bank of America Colonial in Ft. Worth. Under intense pressure Sorenstam responded with nearly flawless tee to green golf in a first-round 71. Though she missed the 36-hole cut, the grace and skill she exhibited was universally hailed. "Anyone who watched her has a deeper appreciation of women's golf," said LPGA Tour player Lorie Kane.

By the force of her talent and need to test herself, the naturally shy Swede had come a long way from intentionally finishing second in junior tournaments to avoid giving an acceptance speech.

Sorenstam came to America to attend the University of Arizona, a decision she calls the turning point of her life. She won the 1991 NCAA individual title and after turning professional was voted rookie of the year in Europe and then on the LPGA. When Sorenstam won the U.S. Women's Open in 1995 and 1996, she was a star.

Her new status was uncomfortable. While America usually expects its winners to revel in achievement, Sorenstam's Swedish upbringing had taught her to resist the limelight. In the end, Sorenstam's public persona was guided by an innate quality that has nothing to do with nationality or culture - her fierce competitiveness.

In an effort to increase her driving distance and become a more powerful player, Sorenstam began a five-day-a-week program with a personal trainer. From ranking 26th on the LPGA Tour in driving distance with an average of 252 yards in 2000, Sorenstam improved to first in 2003 with an average of 272, while still hitting better than 80 percent of fairways.

And as if to announce she had stepped into a new realm, Sorenstam opened the second round of the 2001 Standard Register Ping with eight consecutive birdies, and was a phenomenal 12 under par through 13 holes. She managed only one more birdie, but shot an LPGA record 59.

Sorenstam won eight events that year, but rather than slow down, she followed with one of the greatest seasons ever in 2002, posting 11 official victories. In 2003, she proved that her experience at Colonial did, indeed, make her tougher in major championships as she won the McDonald's LPGA Championship and the Weetabix Women's British Open to complete the Woman's career Grand Slam.

In 2004, she defended her title at the LPGA Championship, broke her own single-season scoring average record (68.69), and won her seventh player of the year title. In 2005 she won the season's first two majors, but fell short of her latest goal - the single-season Grand Slam, finishing tied for 23 in the U.S. Women's Open.

Sorenstam's current dilemma is deciding how long to keep pushing. She is still at her physical peak, with the potential to compile the greatest record ever. "I've come to a point in my career where I do feel kind of satisfied with what I've done," she says. "But a few more majors and then I'll be full."