Annika Sorenstam on motherhood, sharing the highlight with son Will

Completely happy Mom’s Day! This week, we’re highlighting the experiences of a number of the most high-profile girls within the sport, every of whom share a significant title: Mother. Subsequent up: LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam.

ICYMI: Mom’s Day present information: 35 fabulous presents for golf-loving mothers

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WHEN ANNIKA SORENSTAM stepped away from aggressive golf almost 16 years in the past, she was nonetheless on the top of her powers. In actual fact, her announcement that the 2008 season can be her final was made simply days after she posted a dominant seven-stroke victory on the Michelob Extremely Open — her third victory of that 12 months.

Then 38 years outdated, Sorenstam had notched a complete of 72 LPGA wins, together with 10 majors. She’d spent 61 weeks because the top-ranked girls’s participant on the planet. However she had different life objectives: particularly, elevating a household. Simply weeks after the top of the 2008 season, Sorenstam married her husband, Mike McGee, and the couple welcomed their first little one, Ava, in September 2009, adopted by their son, Will, in 2011.

Then, after greater than a decade away from the aggressive sport, Sorenstam made a grand return, profitable the inaugural U.S. Senior Ladies’s Open in 2021. And for the final two years, Sorenstam has been a spotlight on the annual PNC Championship, enjoying alongside Will.

In a latest interview with GOLF, Sorenstam revisited her resolution to step away from the sport, the challenges of balancing motherhood and profession, and what it’s like to assist her youngsters foster a love for the sport that has meant a lot to her.

GOLF: Let’s return to 2008. You have been 38 years outdated, making a momentous change and transition in your life. On the time, did you’re feeling such as you had to retire from professional golf to be able to create the household life that you simply wished?

Annika Sorenstam: No. I didn’t really feel like I wanted to. I believe my adjustments in life simply made me understand there are different issues to do, and it was simply flowing collectively. I noticed that there’s actually nothing extra I wished to realize in my enterprise life. And searching ahead to this new chapter, getting married and beginning a household and a enterprise enterprise, I used to be enthusiastic about that. That made me understand that, “Hey, that is rather more than simply competing.”

In these early days, was onerous to place the golf equipment away?

No. I believe as a result of I gave it my all each single day that I simply got here to a degree the place you get drained. And the motivation wasn’t there. And it was simply not thrilling and I wasn’t hungry. I used to be simply extra enthusiastic about different issues. In order that’s the place I put all my power. Did it really feel bizarre? Yeah. It did, as a result of I’ve been doing this for thus lengthy. However I used to be busy with different issues, so it took its place. I wasn’t sitting at dwelling questioning what to do or being bored.

Had you at all times dreamed of and envisioned your self as a mom?

I didn’t have each chapter of my life scripted since I used to be just a little woman. I believe loads of it simply developed. I believe in my case, I used to be so targeted on my profession that point simply glided by so rapidly. It’s like swiftly, I bear in mind — you already know, you go to the physician and so they saved saying, “Are you eager about a household?” And I used to be like, “Nicely, you already know what I’m eager about? Profitable a serious.” It’s not on my thoughts. And you then begin realizing, “Nicely, whats up. Am I getting outdated for different issues?” It wasn’t till I met Mike that I began to see a future with him and household with him. And so then it was like, “Nicely, possibly now could be the time.” I imply, I had hoped to have a household. However it’s a must to have the proper workforce and the proper timing. The proper place. And I felt that when Mike and I have been getting severe that this was shaping as much as be what I hoped for.

Lydia Ko has been clear from the start that golf isn’t the end-all, be-all for her. Lorena Ochoa retired at age 30, shortly after you, with plans to start out a household. Do you’re feeling such as you set a precedent for individuals who got here after you, that it’s necessary to pursue different issues?

There have been trailblazers on the LPGA for fairly a while and all of us do issues otherwise. I by no means noticed myself as a mom on tour. However that was simply me, as a result of I understand how targeted I’m after I get to tournaments. I understand how I’ve my follow routine and I’ve my routines. And I simply couldn’t see how I might marry that with having a household on tour. However I’ve seen another LPGA gamers which have been very profitable there. When it comes only for me stepping away, it was simply due to that motive: Now I wish to be a mother. And as you already know, a mother is a full-time job. And I didn’t wish to miss out on that. There’s solely a lot time you possibly can put in your profession. All of us get drained. The physique says no. And so for me, it was like a pure transition.

It’s completely different sort of resolution for girls, isn’t it? There are many males with households on the PGA Tour. Scottie Scheffler, for instance, is about to have his first little one. And he possible gained’t miss a beat. However girls have a window of time to think about.

To have youngsters, you want a partner or any person to journey with you or be dwelling. However then it’s a must to assist them. And with the boys’s purses, it’s rather a lot simpler. They make much more cash, and most of the girls, they put their careers on maintain or they wish to be a mother, to take that position. It’s just a little completely different on the LGPA. You’re going to have a associate that dedicated that may both journey, and that prices cash, or they keep at dwelling after which it’s a must to assist them. And in addition, being a mom, it takes a 12 months or two possibly to recuperate or additionally this complete course of. And you’ll miss a beat. Scottie would possibly miss per week or two, however loads of instances are in a position to bounce again and have the assistance that they want. So it’s completely different, and I believe that’s why you see girls, simply normally and never simply in golf, they’re moms later in life as a result of they wish to have a profession. And so they need to have the ability to assist themselves, figuring out that they’ve both just a little nest egg or one thing, after which to have the ability to focus full time. However, in fact, there are others which are married to any person, the place that partner is tremendous supportive and the girl continued to work. But it surely’s not as frequent.

Your son Will was born 13 weeks untimely, and spent almost two months within the NICU. You’ve been very open about how troublesome that was. How did that have form your perspective as a mom?

Being a mother for the primary time is an enormous change. And we lastly obtained the dangle of it, after which I used to be pregnant with Will after which now we have this troublesome start and simply placing it in a unique spin. And so yeah, there was just a little more durable time for everyone. However we simply caught collectively and had good assist, assist at dwelling. However you understand that one plus one just isn’t essentially two in relation to youngsters. One plus one swiftly is like, three. Proper? Particularly after they’re so shut, as a result of one is beginning to stroll. It was loads of work. After which on the time, we’re attempting to nonetheless perform a little work. I nonetheless have my sponsors. I nonetheless have stuff. So it was attention-grabbing. However loads of moms undergo it. I’m not the one one and gained’t be the final. But it surely’s that juggle, be capable of have a associate which you can depend on and take turns, as a result of I believe on the finish of the day, you dedicate your self to be a mother. However I believe you even have pursuits or possibly jobs and you continue to should have your personal character. It’s very simple to simply lose your self when you’ve got youngsters. You have got wants, too. So it’s necessary to have a associate say, “Exit and do your factor for some time. I’ve obtained it.” And vice versa. So I believe that’s been very useful on our finish right here.

You returned to aggressive golf in 2021, profitable the inaugural U.S. Senior Ladies’s Open. What made you resolve to come back again?

I did use the phrase “step away,” and I didn’t have any intention of coming again, as a result of at the moment, there was no U.S. Senior Ladies’s Open and there actually wasn’t anything. And I used to be finished. I had achieved all the pieces I wished to realize. It was simply not on my agenda. However I’d say the most important factor was Covid got here. And golf was one of many few issues that we might do as a household, being exterior. After which Will actually has an ideal curiosity within the sport and Ava just a little bit, too. So we performed as a household. After which I noticed that possibly I have to follow just a little bit. My sport was just a little rusty. After which I turned 50 and I assumed, “You realize what? I have to assist the USGA.” The USGA has been so nice to me all through the years. And if they begin this match, then I ought to actually assist it. So I’d say that these three issues simply led to, “Nicely, let’s give this a shot.”

What was it like to start out that grind once more, at 50?

It’s actually been more durable. To not say that I didn’t suppose it could be onerous, however sure belongings you’re like, “Nicely, I’ve finished this,” proper? It simply tells you it’s onerous to be a mother and to attempt to play and to do all of the completely different enterprise collectively. I don’t have as a lot time as I have to to follow. So, subsequently, you see it in my efficiency and my sport. And it makes it troublesome. You simply should set the bar otherwise, set the objectives otherwise and settle for the place I’m. And I actually play golf for a unique motive now than I did then. Now it’s extra about household. We do that collectively. The children like it. And I’m working towards with Will. So the aim could be very completely different. And it’s fantastic. That is this chapter, and I’m cool about it. I’m fantastic as a result of I’ve had my profession when it was Annika 100% each single day. But it surely’s not about Annika and her golf 100%. It’s extra about serving to him, and household.

Watching you and Will, 13, has been an enormous spotlight on the PNC Championship. In December, you gave a touching interview collectively, the place he stated that enjoying with you is the most effective week of his 12 months. How gratifying is it to play alongside him on such a grand stage, and to assist him develop his sport?

As a mum or dad, you’re happy with your youngsters more often than not. And it’s simply enjoyable to see them develop up as their very own people with their very own ideas and wishes and needs and behaviors and attitudes and personalities. All of these issues. It’s enjoyable to see with all of the hours that we put in to type them. We attempt to educate them manners, et cetera. So for us to simply see, to begin with, Will to have discovered a ardour. It warms my coronary heart. He beams on daily basis going to golf. He simply can’t wait. And the opposite day, he says, “I used to be born for golf, Mommy.” Not essentially simply to be an expert, however simply he loves the sport a lot. He simply loves it. And to see your child be enthusiastic about one thing is so necessary. After which to have the ability to do it collectively. This has been a ardour of mine for a few years. After which to do it collectively and we’re each very aggressive and it simply warms my coronary heart. And it’s simply enjoyable and we cherish the moments collectively.

I seen that in your private Instagram description, you wrote “Completely happy spouse and mom.” No point out of your Corridor-of-Fame profession. Is there something in your golf profession that may examine to the satisfaction that you simply obtain from your loved ones life?

I’m tremendous happy with my profession. I’m very fortunate and lucky that I obtained a lot out of my profession. And there are such a lot of moments which have been superior. All of the years of journey and accolades and pals and reminiscences. So a lot of them. However that was then. It’s nearly like there’s two folks. As a result of I didn’t know what it was wish to have a household like I do as we speak and share it. However now I do. So it’s completely different. Once I performed within the U.S. Ladies’s Senior simply after Covid when it began in 2021, for me to stroll that fairway with Mike carrying my bag and the children, now we have no ropes there. So the stroll on the golf green, to stroll with me, if I’d examine that, that’s profitable my first U.S. Open. It could be simple for me to say as a result of I’ve achieved the opposite half, however I wouldn’t commerce the issues I do as we speak after we hang around with the children for taking part in on LGPA. It was then and that is now.

You’ve stated that the choice to start out enjoying competitively once more was made as a household.

I requested them, “How would you’re feeling if Mommy performed within the Senior Open?” They have been like, “Sure, cool!” “However this must be a household effort.” And so they’re like, “What do you imply?” I stated, “Nicely, sacrifices, as a result of I’ve to go follow. I’ve to play in another tournaments to be prepared.” And I stated, “So I want your endurance and I want your participation. It’s important to include me. And I’m not going go on the market touring by myself, as a result of I’ve already finished that. It’s not what that is about.” I had all people’s thumbs up, like, we’re doing this. In order that win was for all of us, if that is sensible, as a result of they noticed the trouble that was put in. And it’s so cool as a result of Will had stated earlier than, “Mommy, I’ve solely seen you play on YouTube.” That put issues in perspective.

Is there any piece of recommendation which you can supply to others in relation to attaining the non-public {and professional} success that you simply’ve had?

There are many methods to pores and skin a cat. It’s important to discover your personal manner. However the optimistic a part of that’s, it may be finished other ways. And lots of people suppose it needs to be finished just one manner and any person else’s manner. I believe we’re all people and you’ll find your manner. In case your will is robust sufficient, you will get issues finished. However I believe objectives, normally, have to come back out of your coronary heart. They should have a which means. I believe lots of people simply throw issues out and it’s like, properly, does it imply something? And if it doesn’t, then it’s onerous to place the trouble into it. However I’d encourage folks to set objectives, as a result of it’s an ideal roadmap. It helps. And I at all times discuss this to our youngsters. Brief-term objectives and long-term objectives. Lots of people simply begin with the long-terms, which is okay, after which they go away it at that. And it simply appears so far-fetched to get to. Lots of people simply lose power or they don’t have the religion that they will get there. So add some short-term objectives, so it’s such as you take a step at a time and finally get to the highest of the ladder. And it really works rather well. Not simply in golf, however in life.

Golf.com Editor

As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of feminine varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everybody on the masthead. She will be able to out-hustle them within the workplace, too, the place she’s primarily answerable for producing each print and on-line options, and overseeing main particular initiatives, comparable to GOLF’s inaugural Model Is­sue, which debuted in February 2018. Her origi­nal interview sequence, “A Spherical With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in each within the journal and in video type on GOLF.com.