Sorenstam remains in public eye through various projects

Professional golfer Annika Sorenstam tees off on the first tee amid hundreds of onlookers Monday during the 15th annual Hootie and The Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am in North Myrtle Beach.

By Lou Bezjak
Published: April 14, 2009

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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH — Annika Sorenstam, the former No. 1 women’s golfer in the world, might have stopped playing on the LPGA Tour, but she’s as busy as ever.

Sorenstam makes sponsor appearances, runs her foundation and will have a fragrance and wine — both called Annika — out in May.

Sorenstam also made a trip to Korea last month to see a course she’s designing. The course, located in the South Chungcheong Province, is scheduled to be completed next year.

“I’ve still been traveling. That hasn’t changed, but it has been great,” said Sorenstam, who teamed with Darius Rucker at Monday’s Hootie and the Blowfish Monday after the Masters event at the Dye Club. “I really like my life now and what I’ve been doing.”

Sorenstam, who is expecting her first child with husband Mike McGee in the fall, says she still works out every morning but rarely plays. Her popularity remains strong as she and Rucker had one of the largest followings on Monday.

Sorenstam showed some rust by leaving a few approach shots short, but she also put some drives in the dead center of the fairways.

Sorenstam is third on the LPGA’s all-time wins list with 72 and has 90 victories worldwide. She also won 10 major championships with her last coming in the 2006 Women’s U.S. Open.

Sorenstam also played in one PGA Tour event, the 2003 Colonial.

“She has done so many things for the LPGA Tour and we are forever grateful,” said Kristy McPherson, a Conway native and LPGA Tour pro. “To see her back out here competing is great.

“She’s going to have a family now, but hopefully we’ll have her back out on the Tour some day.”

Sorenstam remains a member of the LPGA committee and keeps in touch with friends on Tour. She hasn’t ruled out a comeback, but it’s not something that’s on her mind.

“I still haven’t given it any thought,” she said. “We have some exciting things coming up in the next few months and then we’re going to go from there.”

Notes
Comedian Bill Murray was a last-minute arrival. His group, including PGA pro Woody Austin and Blowfish band member Mark Bryan, shot 18-under to win.

Bishopville’s Tommy Gainey rode with fellow Gamecock supporter Ric Flair, who was on his team but didn’t play.

John Daly was in good spirits and joked about his current PGA Tour suspension.

“I’ve got a new thing going. It’s called the suspended golfers association and (former Buccaneers coach) John Gruden is going to have the fired coaches association,” he said. “We’re going to get a Web site and everything so anyone who gets suspended can be on the page with me.”

USC coach Steve Spurrier said Cheraw’s Cliff Matthews is “my favorite Gamecock of all time.”