Annika Sörenstam Once Revealed the Ritual She Shared With Tiger Woods After Big Wins

Mar 14, 2026, 1:12 PM CUT

December 17, 2023, Orlando, Florida, USA: Annika Sorenstam walks the 13th hole during the final round of the 2023 PNC Championship at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Orlando USA - ZUMAw109 20231217_fap_w109_107 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx

At the highest level of golf, players often rely on those who understand the demands of winning.

Among players who share that experience, 82-time PGA Tour winner Tiger Woods and 72-time LPGA winner Annika Sörenstam once shared a ritual after big victories.

Reflecting on that dynamic during an appearance on Graham Bensinger’s podcast about five years ago, Sörenstam explained how that shared understanding shaped her interactions with Woods.

"A lot of people think that when you win a major, you're happy and you're done. And I was happy, but I wasn't done. So just talking to somebody who's gone through it and understands what it takes, that was fun," she said.

Seventeen-time Ladies European Tour winner then explained how those conversations gradually turned into a light competition between them.

“Then it became competitive. When I won, I would text him. When he won, he would text me. And that was kind of cool.”

Bildnummer: 01820917 Datum: 27.11.2005 Copyright: imago/Icon SMI Annika Sörenstam (Schweden), Eldrick Tiger Woods (2.v.li.) und Fred Couples (re.) bei ABC Kommentator Andy North (alle USA) - PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY (Icon4797791); Anika, Sorenstam, Soerenstam, Vdig, quer, Fernsehen, TV, Medien, Journalist, Sportjournalist, Reporter, Sportreporter, Fernsehkommentator, Sportkommentator, Merrill Lynch Skins Game 2005, PGA Tour, Golfen, Frauen, Frauengolf La Quinta Trilogy Golf Club Golf Einzel Gruppenbild optimistisch Randmotiv Personen

That exchange reflected a pattern the two developed during the 2005 season, when Annika Sörenstam and Tiger Woods were both competing at the top level. Living in the same neighborhood in Orlando and occasionally practicing together, they kept track of each other’s major championship totals.

The interaction became public in June 2005 after Sörenstam won the LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock. The victory was her second major of the season and the ninth major title of her career.

Soon after the win, she sent Woods a short message: “9–9,” referencing the moment when both players had nine professional major titles.

Their interaction came during a time when both players were producing consistent results on the course. Between 2001 and 2005, Annika Sörenstam won 43 tournaments, while Tiger Woods recorded 32 victories during the same period.

Sörenstam also spoke about the qualities she noticed while spending time around Tiger Woods.

What Annika Sörenstam Noticed About Tiger Woods While Practicing Together

During the appearance, Sörenstam also spoke about the traits she noticed in Tiger Woods while spending time around him.

“Well, he's amazing. A few things stand out: his soundness, his concentration level, his focus, and his discipline in certain areas. He would ask me questions.”

Today, both remain connected to the game in different roles. Annika Sörenstam serves as president of the International Golf Federation and hosts the LPGA event, The ANNIKA.

Tiger Woods also continues to stay involved in golf. He makes tournament appearances when possible and works on projects such as the tech-driven league linked to Jupiter Links GC.

What do you think about the friendly rivalry between Annika Sörenstam and Tiger Woods? Let us know in the comments!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Kalp Thaker