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Jan. 17, 2012 – Indian Wells, California, U.S. – LPGA golf pro, ANNIKA SORENSTAM spoke on a panel at the Clinton Foundation inaugural Health Matters Conference that kicked off the first ever Humana Challenge PGA Golf formerly The Bob Hope Classic. The event was held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAa07_ Jan 17 2012 Indian Wells California U S LPGA Golf pro Annika Sorenstam Spoke ON a Panel AT The Clinton administration Foundation Inaugural Health matters Conference Thatcher kicked off The First Ever Humana Challenge PGA Golf formerly The Bob Hope Classic The Event what Hero AT The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY ZUMAa07_
via Imago
Jan. 17, 2012 – Indian Wells, California, U.S. – LPGA golf pro, ANNIKA SORENSTAM spoke on a panel at the Clinton Foundation inaugural Health Matters Conference that kicked off the first ever Humana Challenge PGA Golf formerly The Bob Hope Classic. The event was held at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY – ZUMAa07_ Jan 17 2012 Indian Wells California U S LPGA Golf pro Annika Sorenstam Spoke ON a Panel AT The Clinton administration Foundation Inaugural Health matters Conference Thatcher kicked off The First Ever Humana Challenge PGA Golf formerly The Bob Hope Classic The Event what Hero AT The Renaissance Esmeralda Resort PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY ZUMAa07_
Annika Sorenstam is the name of a legacy. The veteran star has achieved what many can only aspire for. With 72 LPGA wins and overall 90 professional wins, Sorenstam boasts an extraordinary record. She also has a career grand slam to her name. During her prime time, she was an unreckonable force.
This achievement was based on the major tournaments recognized during her time in the game. Additionally, the ANNIKA Award has also been named after her. This honor has become one of the prestigious collegiate awards for female golfers. Her accomplishments are manifold, but do these advantages help Sorenstam qualify for the prestigious Women’s PGA Championship? Let’s find out.
Two qualification criteria worth looking at in Sorenstam’s case
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The Women’s PGA Championship is considered to be one of the five major female golf events, and KPMG sponsors it. Initially, it was named the LPGA Championship. For the first time they professionally conducted the event in 1955 on the LPGA Tour. It allowed female golfers to reach soaring heights.
The Swedish professional established her name in this tournament as well. Before retiring in 2008, she had won this championship for three consecutive years in 2003, 2004, and 2005. This in itself was extraordinary as no other golfer to date has won this tournament for three successive seasons. She features in the LPGA Hall of Fame as well as in the World Golf of Fame, both honors coming to pass in 2003.
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 25: Annika Sorenstam of Sweden celebrates her birdie on the 14th green during the first round of the Gainnbridge LPGA at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club on February 25, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
No prizes for guessing! Yes, both merits, presence in the LPGA as well as World Hall of Fame, allow the legend to be qualified for the Women’s PGA Championship.
Read More: Is Rose Zhang Playing in the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship?
And if this wasn’t enough, Sorenstam is eligible to participate in the event on the basis of another criterion. This part mentions that any past winners of the Women’s PGA Championship inclusive of the previous title holders of the LPGA Championship automatically qualify for the event. However, now the focus is on whether Sorenstam’s qualification implies that she will play in the tournament or not.
Will the Swedish veteran take on the greens at Baltusrol Lower Course?
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The KPMG Championship will run from June 22-25. The beautiful course in New Jersey will welcome the participants. It will be a battle of high talent and precise skills. Some of the star players in the competition include Nelly Korda, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Hannah Green, Ayaka Furue, Jin Young Ko, Lydia Ko and Lexi Thompson.
Alas, among this combative playing field, Sorenstam’s name won’t feature. After the surprising appearance of the star in the 2023 Scandinavian Mixed, golf viewers were hoping to see her tame the greens at Baltusrol. Sadly, the field list announcement of the 2023 Women’s PGA Championship did not have the legend’s name in it.
As of June 14, neither the main list nor the alternate catalog reflects Sorenstam’s name. After her retirement in 2008, when the golf legend returned to the course, it was to participate in the 2021 US Senior Women’s Open. She made a comeback with a bang and clinched the win by eight shots. However, a year later she missed the cut for the U.S. Women’s Open.
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Now, as we move closer to the event, more clarity on the veteran’s participation will come to the fore. Irrespective of what finally happens, she has done her bit for golf. In fact, she continues to contribute to the development of the sport in one way or the other.
Watch this story: LPGA Star Slams the Door Shut in Unexpected Fashion to Possibly Her Biggest Fan
