Annika Sorenstam’s Historic 59 Still Inspires Women’s Golf

News Summary

It’s been 24 years since Annika Sorenstam shot a historic 59 on the LPGA Tour, a record that remains unbroken. Her milestone continues to inspire golfers today as they strive for greatness. Young talents and seasoned players alike are chasing this elusive score, demonstrating that the spirit of competition in women’s golf is stronger than ever.

Annika Sorenstam’s Historic 59 Still Shines Bright in Women’s Golf

It’s hard to believe it’s been 24 years since Annika Sorenstam delivered an extraordinary performance that rewrote the history books of women’s golf. On that unforgettable day, March 16, 2001, Sorenstam made history by shooting a jaw-dropping 13-under 59 during the second round of the Standard Register PING tournament. Her remarkable score featured an incredible 13 birdies, leading her to a two-shot victory over fellow golf star Se Ri Pak.

A Record Like No Other

At that time, Sorenstam shattered the previous LPGA record of 61, which was held by both Karrie Webb and Se Ri Pak. In fact, only 17 players ever have managed to shoot below 60 in the world of professional golf, and Sorenstam remains the only woman to join this elite club. Her score of 59 is still considered a benchmark in the women’s game, an achievement that golfers can hardly dream of reaching.

Looking Back at the Close Calls

Since that iconic round, there have been several attempts on the LPGA Tour to get as close as possible to that magic number. For instance, in the 2024 ShopRite LPGA Classic, Linnea Strom finished with an impressive 11-under 60 in the final round, marking it as the lowest final round by a tournament winner in LPGA history. Similarly, Lucy Li shot her own 11-under 60 at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, which also included a remarkable three eagles, pushing her into a playoff.

However, in the nearly quarter-century since Sorenstam’s round of 59, only eight rounds of 60 or lower have been recorded on the LPGA Tour. That puts into perspective just how legendary her performance truly is.

Chasing the Dream of the 59

In the realm of women’s Major championships, the lowest recorded score still stands at 61, held by Hyo-Joo Kim, Jeong-eun Lee, and Leona Maguire—all achieving this feat at the Evian Championship. Interestingly, while Kim’s stellar performance led her to a wire-to-wire victory, Lee and Maguire, despite their score, didn’t clinch the title.

The competition only gets fiercer as evidenced by the 2025 LPGA Tour season, when Japanese rookie Akie Iwai posted an 11-under 61 at the Honda LPGA Thailand, coming shockingly close to matching Sorenstam’s legendary score. Furthermore, Minami Katsu matched that score in the second round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai, bringing viewers to the edge of their seats as she entered a nail-biting playoff, ultimately won by Jeeno Thitikul.

New Generations Stepping Up