Annika Sorenstam to play in the US Women’s Open: When did the 10-time major winner retire?

Annika Sorenstam is back.

The 10-time major winner and three-time US Women’s Open champion has accepted a special exemption into this year’s U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Sorenstam, easily one of the greatest players in LPGA history and arguably one of the best golfers of all time- man or woman- played her way into last year’s Women’s Open at Pine Needles. The 52-year-old shot 74-81 in 2022, missing the cut in her first LPGA major since 2008, which is when she hung up her hat.

One of only four players to win the US Open three times, Sorenstam explained that she has a big motivation to play at one of the world’s iconic courses: “I am incredibly grateful to the USGA for the opportunity to play in this year’s US Women’s Open,” she said. “It is a championship that has helped to define my career, and to play in the first one at Pebble Beach, which will be a defining moment for women’s golf, with my family by my side will be a week we never forget.”

Sorenstam’s first of her three US Open victories came in 1995, in what was her maiden Major win. The year after, she defended her trophy to score her second win. And years later, in 2006, she claimed the title for a third time at Newport Country Club.

Sorenstam’s biggest accomplishment

The Swedish legend continues to be the only female golfer in history to ever shoot a sub-60 round in competitive play. She also racked up 72 wins, the third-most in LPGA Tour history, including ten major championships, before retiring at the young age of 38.

Tiger Woods even called Sorenstam the greatest women’s golfer ever.

When did Sorenstam retire?

In May 2008, Sorenstam announced that the ‘08 campaign would be her final season on the LPGA Tour, news that shocked the golf world. Her reasoning was focusing on starting a family and starting her business empire, which certainly turned into one. After her announcement, Sorenstam won two LPGA tournaments and played her final professional event that December on the European Tour, where she tied for seventh.

In 2009, Sorenstam and her husband, Mike McGee, welcomed their daughter, Ava. A few years later, in 2011, their son, William, was born. During the following few years, Sorenstam went on to build her ANNIKA brand, which has taken off. She’s helped design several golf courses globally and founded a golf academy in Florida, which closed in 2016. Currently, she is still the President and CEO of the Annika Foundation, which is designed to develop women’s golf worldwide and help children lead healthy lifestyles.