Looking back, I don’t second-guess. I like to look forward, not spend energy on what could have been, it’s all about opening doors. That’s one thing I’ve learned. I’ve heard from a lot of people – you can imagine, a lot of opinions, a lot of comments. I hear clearly what those people say. I know they see it differently. But I listen and I embrace them all.

Annika Sorenstam

I push myself to be the best I can be. I don't worry about what other people are doing, and I don't think about things I can't control.

Annika Sorenstam

worry people thinking

On the first tee I kept telling myself, "Trust yourself, you can do it."

Annika Sorenstam

tees trust-yourself firsts

You just have to try and keep on grinding and hope that things will turn around eventually.

Annika Sorenstam

turns trying

I stay patient. I don't go out there and try to set a course record. That's probably one of my strengths and one reason I've been able to win major championships.

Annika Sorenstam

records winning trying

There are no shortcuts to success.

Annika Sorenstam

shortcuts

I love to crunch numbers. I look at how many fairways I hit, how many greens I hit. I plan my way around the golf course.

Annika Sorenstam

golf numbers looks

A lot of people think I am cold and have no feelings. But I do. I just try very hard to focus and not let my emotions take over on the golf course.

Annika Sorenstam

golf people thinking

To play well you have to have good balance in your life. Tiger has found that. If you play golf long enough you'll learn that life is more than golf.

Annika Sorenstam

play golf long

I still get butterflies on the first tee. I still get sweaty hands, and my heart pumps a lot going down the 18th. But I know what winning is all about now, and that's a feeling that I like.

Annika Sorenstam

butterfly winning heart

When I first came on tour, I was playing for money. Now I'm playing to win golf tournaments and the money is more than I ever dreamed I could make.

Annika Sorenstam

winning golf firsts

I've learned a lot about my game every time I play golf in a men's event.

Annika Sorenstam

games golf men

I think it’s important for me to play well and set the tone.

Annika Sorenstam

important play thinking

It's a lot of fun coming out for a practice round and having the crowd behind you and cheering you on (a few) days before the event.

Annika Sorenstam

cheer practice fun

I find it flattering to be compared to Tige

Annika Sorenstam

flattering

Ron Syriac, a golf writer and friend, was quoted as saying, "Annika is no longer a female golfer. She's a golfer." That's truly all I ever aspired to be.

Annika Sorenstam

golfers female golf

I told my caddie today that I am in the position that I want to be in. That this is what I have been waiting for, to win my tenth victory. I said that I am going to do everything that I can do today and that nothing is going to stop me.

Annika Sorenstam

waiting winning golf

Bringing women and men together in a combined tournament is exciting for fans... as we continue to showcase golf is a game for everyone, this mixed tournament is another way to bring our game to the younger generation in Sweden and for those watching around the world.

Annika Sorenstam

sports

This is an historic moment, and hopefully they will continue to carry the torch, and who knows what opportunities will come 10, 15 years from now, this is just the beginning.

Annika Sorenstam

sports

The men hit 8-irons into those undulating greens. I needed a 5 or a 6 to get there, which makes the undulations more like a roller-coaster ride.

Annika Sorenstam

sports

Well, I’m not one to second-guess. It was supposed to be in March 2020, and looking back at it, it’s just really about the people who have received it through history, i don’t want to spend any energy looking back, I like to spend energy looking forward, continue to open doors, create opportunities for the young girls around the world.

Annika Sorenstam