Annika Sorenstam
This week, Graham heads to the White House and to Orlando to talk with World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam. He sits in on Annika and Gary Player’s Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony as the only media permitted and shares exclusive video from the event, hosted by former President Donald Trump and held less than 24 hours after riots at the U.S. Capitol. A month later at Annika’s home in Orlando, she reflects on Medal of Freedom feedback and discusses other monumental moments to-date, including a failed attempt to qualify for the LPGA Tour and courting her now-husband, Mike McGee. Plus, a tour Annika’s lakeside property and golf tips from her son, Will.
Annika Sorenstam
EPISODES
Annika Sorenstam: Tiger Woods’ advice to “do less”
Hall of Fame golfer turned entrepreneur Annika Sorenstam addresses her retirement from the LPGA, trying to build businesses during the Great Recession and advice from Tiger Woods that helped her “do less to get more.” Plus, Annika and her husband Mike McGee talk of their efforts to support the next generation of female golfers through the ANNIKA Foundation (https://www.annikafoundation.org/). And later, Annika reflects on the differences between designing golf courses with Jack Nicklaus vs. Arnold Palmer.
Annika Sorenstam: Helping Tiger Woods handle success
Annika Sorenstam reflects on her historic entry into the Colonial PGA Tour event in 2003, including the scene of fans climbing trees to catch a glimpse of her rounds and how she is proud to have stepped into an uncomfortable position, to see what she’s made of. Annika also shares details of her relationship with Tiger Woods and how they would lean on each other as two professional golfers at the top of their respective leagues.
Annika Sorenstam: My LPGA comeback
Annika Sorenstam – the winningest female golfer ever – says she stepped away from competing in 2008 because she achieved everything she wanted and no longer felt “hungry.” And yet, the conversation pivots to why the circumstances are so ideal that she’s opting to return and compete in the Gainbridge Championship – an LPGA event held literally in Annika’s backyard – in Orlando, Florida. Annika also talks of her role as President of the International Golf Federation and her excitement for the upcoming Summer Olympics.
Annika Sorenstam: My golf ball listened, ex-husband did not
Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam candidly discusses her feeling of relief while golfing, in contrast to life at home with a failing marriage that led to a divorce in 2005. Later, Annika shares the story of reaching out to Mike McGee and their eventual connection, a slow start to dating and their marriage in 2009. Mike joins the conversation and offers his take on why the relationship works so well, including what he learned from his mom’s approach – as she also married a golf pro.
Annika Sorenstam: Our premature son’s story of survival
Annika Sorenstam and her husband Mike McGee recall a harrowing night when Annika was 27 weeks pregnant and needed to be rushed to the emergency room to prematurely deliver their son, who was born weighing less than three pounds. He remained in the NICU for eight weeks before he was strong enough to go home. Mike talks of panic attacks during their son’s roller coaster surviving his time in the NICU and their decision to change his name to Will.
Annika Sorenstam: Dropping tennis for golf
Hall of fame golfer Annika Sorenstam looks back on her childhood as a ranked tennis player with a glaring weakness, and explains why golf became more appealing in her teenage years. Annika also shares stories of her family’s competitive nature and how her analytical nature helped her golf game and her blue chip investments in the stock market.
Annika Sorenstam: When the market dips, I’m buying!
Annika Sorenstam – the winningest female golfer ever – shares her approaches to spending and investing money. The hall of famer expresses pride for her thriftiness and patience with her long-term investments, which she says are heavily concentrated in real estate. And yet with a cautious, patient approach, Annika will also jump in to buy when the market dips.
Annika Sorenstam: I thought my career was over
Hall of fame golfer Annika Sorenstam – who won 72 LPGA tournaments during her career – shares stories from her path to eventual excellence as the winningest female golfer ever. She offers impactful advice from her dad that helped shape a winning mindset and tells of moving to the U.S. with only two suitcases and a golf bag, second-guessing everything after a failed attempt to qualify for the LPGA Tour and how practicing more than competitors led to less social time as she tallied wins.
Annika Sorenstam & Gary Player: Accepting Medal of Freedom day after Capitol riots
Hall of fame golfer Annika Sorenstam and her husband Mike McGee discuss Annika’s recognition from President Donald Trump as a 2021 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, the day after the U.S. Capitol riots that many claim were fueled by President Trump’s provocation. Sorenstam says it’s not in her nature to second guess the past and her husband Mike expresses the pain of seeing the person he loves vilified for receiving the nation’s highest civilian honor. Plus, fellow Hall of Famer Gary Player sits down with Graham at the White House and we showcase never-before-seen footage of President Trump, Sorenstam and Player during the award ceremony.
Annika Sorenstam: Living a fairytale in Orlando home
Golf legend Annika Sorenstam offers Graham a tour of her lakeside property in Orlando, Fla. Annika and her son Will give Graham much needed golf tips from her tee box, plus she shows off their tennis court, sand volleyball court and dock. Later, Annika takes Graham to a nearby country club for a game of pickleball with her family, where Graham struggles… again.EXCLUSIVE: Gary Player & President Trump’s Medal of Freedom Speeches
This is the first public posting of the private Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony honoring Gary Player for his athletic excellence across many decades of professional golf and philanthropic contributions for underprivileged children. The ceremony was held on January 7, 2021, less than 24 hours after former President Donald Trump’s supporters staged a violent attempted coup at the Capitol.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House typically also includes a celebration in the Rose Garden or Oval Office, with media invited. However, given the Capitol riots that ensued the day before, this ceremony took place behind closed doors with only one member of the media permitted, due to a previous commitment: Graham Bensinger.
This never-before-release footage includes President Trump cracking jokes while introducing his friend Player, plus the World Golf Hall of Famer’s acceptance speech, where he calls the award the greatest honor he’s ever received and dedicates it to his wife, Vivienne.
EXCLUSIVE: Annika Sorenstam & President Trump’s Medal of Freedom Speeches
This is the first public posting of the private Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony honoring Annika Sorenstam for her athletic excellence and her significant contributions to introducing golf to the next generation of female golfers. The ceremony was held on January 7, 2021, less than 24 hours after former President Donald Trump’s supporters staged a violent attempted coup at the Capitol.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House typically also includes a celebration in the Rose Garden or Oval Office, with media invited. However, given the Capitol riots that ensued the day before, this ceremony took place behind closed doors with only one member of the media permitted, due to a previous commitment: Graham Bensinger.
This never-before-release footage includes President Trump introducing Sorenstam and her long list of accomplishments, plus the World Golf Hall of Famer’s acceptance speech, where she thanks President Trump for his efforts and her attending family for their unwavering support.
EXCLUSIVE: Babe Zaharias’ posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony
This is the first public posting of the private Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony honoring Babe Zaharias for her athletic excellence across many decades of professional golf, including her efforts to help found the LPGA. The ceremony was held on January 7, 2021, less than 24 hours after former President Donald Trump’s supporters staged a violent attempted coup at the Capitol.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House typically also includes a celebration in the Rose Garden or Oval Office, with media invited. However, given the Capitol riots that ensued the day before, this ceremony took place behind closed doors with only one member of the media permitted, due to a previous commitment: Graham Bensinger.
This never-before-release footage includes President Trump accrediting Zaharias as one of the greatest female athletes of all time, plus representative W.L. Pate Jr.’s acceptance speech, where he further promotes her legacy as an exceptional, versatile athlete.
