When it comes to the debate over the greatest female golfers of all-time, there is little question that Annika Sorenstam has to be in the conversation after an incredible career in which she managed to win 10 majors.
Of the players who make up the top 10 for the most wins of all-time on the LPGA Tour, just two have added to their tally in the 21st century. Karrie Webb won five of her seven major titles between 2000 and 2002.
But even the great Australian finds herself some way adrift of Sorenstam. Sorenstam is only behind Kathy Whitworth and Mickey Wright for all-time wins on the LPGA Tour, while she is one of a handful of players to reach double figures for major championship victories.
So it seemed to be a smart move from the PGA Tour when they decided to invite the Swede to the 2003 Bank of America Colonial off the back of a year in which she won 11 times. Sadly, not everyone agreed with the decision.
How some PGA Tour players reacted to Annika Sorenstam being invited to the 2003 Bank of America Colonial
The move to invite Sorenstam to play on a PGA Tour event seemed to upset a number of players. Vijay Singh labelled the decision to invite her ‘ridiculous’ and admitted that he would refuse to play if paired with her. The Fijian’s main criticism was that the organisers had potentially taken a spot away from someone who ply their trade on the PGA Tour.
“I won’t play. There are guys out there who are trying to make a living What is she going to prove by playing? She doesn’t belong out here. It’s ridiculous,” he said, as reported by Golf Monthly.
There was however, some support for the move. Phil Mickelson said: “Guys who are having a tough time with this are thinking this is the men’s tour. It’s not. It’s the best tour, for the best players.”
Sorenstam became the first female to play on the PGA Tour in around half a century. She was also one of the biggest names in the game at the time, so it was always going to be fascinating to see how she fared.
Annika Sorenstam lauded after impressive showing on her PGA Tour debut
Ultimately, Sorenstam did miss the cut. But she certainly did not disgrace herself with rounds of 71 and 74 over the first two days in Texas.
Geoff Ogilvy – who would win the US Open three years later – finished two shots worse off, while Sergio Garcia was also among those who missed the cut.
Kenny Perry went on to win by six that week. And he was full of praise for Sorenstam’s performance.
“I think she played great. I couldn’t have been under that scrutiny and — because I played with Tiger two times last year under it was the PGA and the World Golf Championship, both times where he was I guess his slam bid was continuing on and we were paired together the third round or whatever. And the media was just, it was just really intense out there. And I performed very poorly. And she shoots 71, my hat was off to her. I think she did a great job,” he said, after the second round.
The likes of Michelle Wie West and Lexi Thompson have also gone on to make appearances on the PGA Tour during their careers.
And, while Sorenstam was not the first to do so, you would have to think that it was her appearance in 2003 which reopened a door which had remained closed for far too long.