Annika Sorenstam Enjoying 'New Life'

As the LPGA seeks to hire a new commissioner and deal with a shrinking schedule caused by economic and management woes, golf great Annika Sorenstam says global growth is key to the tour's survival, even if it means a lower profile in the United States.

"I'm all in favor of a more global expansion of the tour because that's where the demand is today," Sorenstam told FanHouse Wednesday afternoon. "I'm all about trying to grow our tour and create awareness around the world and get new fans.

"That's what I'm trying to push. Hey, let's just grow globally. That way we are going to raise the profile of the players, the product and what we have to offer."

Although Sorenstam, 39, stepped away from competition at the end of 2008, and six weeks ago gave birth to daughter Ava Madelyn McGee, she remains active on the business side of golf and is serving as an adviser to the LPGA board of directors.

The LPGA hall of famer with 72 career wins and 10 major championships made her comments from the U.S. Golf Association Museum in Far Hills, N.J., where she was participating in an American Express promotion that included Lucas Glover and Morgan Pressel.

"I'm here to give my opinion as a player," Sorenstam said of her LPGA advisory role. "The last 15 years I've been traveling. I know what every tour stop is like. I've seen the growth of the game."

Although an increase in foreign tour stops would inevitably lower the American-based tour's presence on its home turf, Sorenstam believes the move makes sense.

"Wherever the market takes us," she said. "If there are tournaments here in the U.S., of course, we should welcome that. I think that would be wonderful.

"It's just a tough time now economically and companies are staying away from entertainment and sponsorships of golf events when you having to let go of several hundred people.

"I welcome opportunities to play for the players. If it's in the U.S., wonderful. If it's globally, that's wonderful also. I just want to make sure the players have places to play and can pursue their dreams."

The LPGA's player roster long ago went global. Korean Jiyai Shin is this season's leading money winner, and only three American are among the top 10. Of the top 50 players in the current Rolex World Rankings, only 11 are Americans, topped by Paula Creamer at No. 6. Some 120 foreign players are LPGA members, representing 26 countries. South Korea with 45 tops the list of non-Americans.

Former LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens even made a push to make it mandatory for players to speak English, in an effort to attract sponsors, before a public relations backlash torched the idea.

But, while LPGA heads labor with the task of replacing Bivens, who resigned in July under pressure, and to protect its brand, Sorenstam sounded content in her new life.

After ending her playing career and marrying Mike McGee in January, Sorenstam turned her energies to the business side of golf. Her commitments include the Annika Foundation, the Annika Teaching Academy, golf course design, Annika Fragrance for women, a clothing endorsement deal and a new wine.

She also worked on golf's successful push for a place in the 2016 Olympic Games.

"And, oh yeah, I'm a new mother, too," she laughed.

Happy and content, she added.

"The new life is wonderful," she said. "Our little girl, Ava, has changed our lives, I can tell you that.

"Competition seems like it was ages ago. It's a new life and a new chapter. I'm staying very, very busy. I feel like I'm busier now than I was. I'm just not traveling as much, but doing a lot of work and enjoying it."