It’s a perfect question for Annika Sorenstam, and she delivers the answer with just as much ease as she hits the fairway-splitting drives or the pin-point accurate iron shots that became the Swede’s trademark in six magnificent years as the unrivalled world No.1 in women’s golf.

“Determination, focus and dedication – these are the things that have helped keep me at the top for so long,” she says. “Also, I never give up. I always keep grinding away. Put all these things together and I think you have what has helped me to sustain such a long and successful career.”

For further analysis of the make-up of a player who is among the very best to ever play the game – ten majors, 69 LPGA titles, 84 wins worldwide and the only woman ever to shoot 59 in a tournament –  we need to go back to the very beginning.

As a kid growing up in Sweden, Annika exuded a natural ability in a variety of sports, notably tennis and skiing. But it was golf that provided the perfect avenue for her particular sporting strengths, and she was extremely fortunate that her period in the junior ranks coincided with Pia Nilsson’s reign as Swedish National coach.

Nilsson, who went to college in America and played professionally on the LPGA Tour, is recognised as one of the world’s visionaries in golf coaching and development. A former Solheim Cup Captain, she has worked with many top athletes – she has been an advisor to the Swedish Olympic Association – and now runs a golf school based in Phoenix, Arizona, with American professional, Lynn Marriott.

Pia remembers the teenage Annika as just one of a batch of talented juniors. “There were players who were better ball strikers, better players,” recalls the coach. “You certainly couldn’t have predicted back then that she was going to become one of the very best players in the world.

“But it was when she was around 20 that she began setting high goals and began to accumulate a bunch of good habits. She was VERY hard working and VERY stubborn and, if she didn’t win, she never made any excuses.

“She has also always been open to gaining feedback, identifying weaknesses and working out ways to turn them into strengths. She never stops until she gets it right and is always willing to listen and learn from people she trusts.”

In fact, Annika logs a bundle of statistics on a personal computer – fairways hit, putts holed, bunker up-and-downs – everything is noted, digested and scrutinised. Then she gets to work on making even more improvements.

Annika has been fortunate – or maybe just wise? – in gathering a strong back-up team. Swede Henri Reis has been her long-time coach, Florida-based Kai Fusser is her personal trainer and Terry MacNamee has been her caddie and on-course confidant for many a season. Plus there is Pia.

Pia has always played a major role, and there is little doubt that her approach has played a significant part in moulding Annika, not only into an outstanding golfer but also into a level-headed human being capable of living in the pressure bubble that goes along with being the best in anything for so many years.

‘Be yourself and be all you can be’ could be the mantra that Pia preaches and that Annika has embraced.

It was during her time as Swedish National Coach that Pia instigated Vision54 – the concept that insists that there is absolutely no reason why anyone shouldn’t birdie every hole and shoot a score of 54.

“ ‘What makes a winner?’ is an important and intriguing question,” pondered Pia. “It requires excellence in performance, and also the personality of the athlete. “Vision54 was something I introduced in Sweden when I realised that the golfers I was working didn’t really believe that they could become world-beaters.

“It could be similar in Scotland. You have to ask - what do you want for your athletes? Then help them get there.”

In this era of celebrity and fame for fame’s sake, Pia emphasises the need for sports stars to remain grounded. “I see great similarities between Annika and Tiger (Woods). They can compartmentalise everything within their hectic lives. They recognise themselves as golfers, and also as people.

“They are safe in themselves. They know that, no matter what, nothing really bad can happen when they go out on the golf course. The can focus on scores and rankings but still be stable and sensible human beings. Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam are private people who just happen to play golf.” Perhaps it is no wonder that the golf’s two world No.1s are such firm friends.

Hype is something that all stars – sporting or otherwise - have to deal with and, certainly in the past, Annika was criticised for being a little too bland for a media infested by writers and commentators seeking colour and controversy.  Seemingly, being the best in the world was never quite enough – just ask Pete Sampras.

“They were always looking for another Nancy Lopez,” Annika recounts of the Press’s desperation to find a replica of the charismatic star who was the darling of the American crowds. “But I’m not Nancy Lopez – I’m Annika Sorenstam.”

However, her decision to play on the (men’s) PGA Tour at the 2003 Colonial Tournament was a huge turning point in so many ways. It catapulted Annika on the global stage. She proved she could handle anything that anyone could throw at her, and her demeanour though it all earned her huge respect and a new warmth from the fans. Pressure, expectation, hype – it had the lot.

“It was Annika’s biggest test,” confirmed Pia. “She took on the challenge with the perfect approach. She asked herself ‘What is the worse thing that could happen?’ and the answer was that, no matter what, she would learn so much. It wasn’t a gamble – it was going to be a wonderful learning experience.”

Placed in the spotlight, Annika’s first round 71 was hailed as one of the greatest displays by a woman golfer. It took Annika’s reputation to a new level. It was the moment when Pia was proved correct – sports stars don’t need to be egocentric. Winning has nothing to do with ego.   

As for Annika, she describes it as “a day I will remember for the rest of my life. I would never do it again – because it could never be repeated. But I found out so much about myself at Colonial, and it has certainly helped my career.”

A few months later, she faced South Se Ri Pak in a final round showdown that came down to the very last hole. The day ended with Annika lifting her first Weetabix Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes. “Having coped with Colonial, I knew I could face up to any amount of pressure today,” she said. Another example of a winner – someone who absorbs experiences and puts the lessons learned into practice.

If winning is all about making the most of talent– and the ‘Annika’ factors of dedication, focus and determination, then the full package has produced a remarkable Sorenstam story.

Annika won her first LPGA title – the US Women’s Open no less – in 1995 and went on top the LPGA money list three of the next four years. Then, in 1999, she slipped to No.4 on the money list. It would still be good enough for most - but it was a real body blow for someone instilled with the winning formula.

“I wasn’t happy at all at the end of that season,” she candidly admits. “So I looked at what I needed to do to get back to the top.”

It was during that winter that she worked endlessly on her putting and decided to get fitter.

Ah, the fitness factor. Tiger Woods sparked the gym ethos within the men’s game and Annika has done the same for the women. Over the past few years, golfers have become finely tuned athletes.

“I just love the fitness side and working out,” says Annika, who is renowned for her punishing schedules – her level of commitment has even surprised Kai.

At the age of 36, there is little doubt that Annika’s tournament career is heading towards the finale – but not quite yet. “At the moment, I still have look forward to getting up in the morning and going out to the range. I still love what I do and I still love the competition on the LPGA Tour.”

But she also has a host of new ventures. She has set up her own company – ANNIKA - and she opened her own golf academy at the Reunion Resort near Orlando in Florida in April.

“I want to use the academy to share my passion,” she explains about Annika’s Academy of Golf and Fitness. “I want people to feel my love for the game, feel my love for fitness. I have a team in place that understand my vision.” The team includes Reis, Fusser and her sister, Charlotta, who is an LPGA winner and former Solheim Cup player.   

Can she teach others to become winners? If an individual has her determination, focus and dedication plus an abundance of natural talent, then it could be possible. But not many are the full package – and there is only one Annika Sorenstam.

EB

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