‘It Wasn’t a Publicity Stunt’: After Becoming the First Woman To Play on the PGA Tour in 58-Years, Annika Sorenstam Was Once Defended by Her Playing Partner From the Event

Often, an athlete’s greatest accomplishment isn’t winning a game. Such was the case for Annika Sorenstam. The LPGA superstar won 72 times on the tour, and it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that one of the challenges she faced in one of those games was her greatest accomplishment. But that wasn’t the case at all. Sorenstam achieved greatness in an event where she didn’t even make the cut.

Sorenstam is by far one of the most decorated golfers in the history of the LPGA. She has the third-highest number of wins on the tour, and these include 10 major championships. In 2003, she was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, and that same year faced her biggest controversy.

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In 2003, Sorenstam accepted an exception to play on the PGA Tour at the Bank of America Colonial. She was the first woman in 58 years to do so. The Colonial is, to this day, Annika’s single greatest achievement of her career.

Although she didn’t go on to win the event or even make the cut, it served as an eye-opener to her and the rest of the world. What she went on to accomplish—overcoming her demons—served as an inspiration to millions of women and multiplied her fame overnight.

Annika Sorenstam was looking for a challenge

But, contrary to popular belief, Sorenstam did not do it for publicity. She did it to challenge herself. “Everything was so misunderstood right away,” said Aaron Barber, who Annika was paired up with for the event. He spent two days on the course with her and, in that time, had become like a brother to her.

He said, “It wasn’t a publicity stunt.” Barber explained that what Sorenstam was doing was right. He stated, “She was just so much better than everyone else in the women’s game, and she just wanted to challenge herself, test herself.”

The LPGA legend wanted to know how good she was for herself. She didn’t care about what the media said or what the other players said, though. She left the Colonial 2 days later, much more experienced and stringent than when she came. The golfing legend had learned more in those two days than she had in years, and not just in terms of skill. She was mentally a lot calmer and more focused, too.

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Do you think Sorenstam would have had the career she had if she hadn’t played on the PGA Tour that year? Let us know in the comments below.