Annika Sörenstam To Receive Presidential Medal Of Freedom

Annika Sörenstam, Swedish pro golfer and 10-time major winner of the LPGA Tour, is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The White House recently announced that Sörenstam, along with Gary Player (only one of five players to win the men’s career Grand Slam), will be honored on March 23 by President Donald Trump. 

“It is an overwhelming feeling. I am grateful, I am humbled, I am moved, and I am blessed.” Sörenstam wrote in a tweet after the news broke.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award given by the president of the United States to people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. 

Sörenstam and Player will join Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Charlie Sifford, and Tiger Woods as the only golfers to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Swedish-born golfer completed her LPGA career with 72 tournament victories and was one of the most dominant female players of her era. She earned The Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award three consecutive years between 2003 and 2005.

“This is America’s highest civilian award and definitely the most distinguished award I have ever received. My reaction was a wave of emotions. Definitely goosebumps. Then gratitude, pride, and humility,” Sörenstam said.