Interviewed By Matt Ginella
Illustration By Andy Friedman September 2008

ANNIKA SORENSTAM has 72 wins and 10 majors on the LPGA Tour. She's engaged to Mike McGee and says she'll retire from competitive golf at the end of this year.

How often do you fly private?
Mostly domestic--nothing international.

Have you ever lost your clubs?
I have. I was playing in Canada, the du Maurier, many years ago, and my whole travel cover never showed up. I lost the whole thing. It was not just golf clubs, golf bag and golf shoes. It was dress shoes, running shoes, you name it--a bunch of stuff and they never found it.

Did you feel violated?
Yes. They told me they'd compensate me $300. I'm like, $300?--that's not even a driver. It was pathetic. I know it happens, but certain things you just can't replace.

I'm told when you fly private, your clubs get a good seat on the plane.
They do. I treat them well.

Do you keep them up top or do you put them in the belly of the plane?
I strap them into a seat [Laughs].

Any desire to learn how to fly a plane?
No. When I was growing up I wanted to be a pilot. I don't know how long that lasted. I don't really like flying. I've been up in the cockpit several times. I've landed a plane three times. But no. No desire to do it anymore.

Was it easy to land a plane?
Yes. I was sitting in the right-hand seat, pushed down the wheel. It's really cool. I'm such a control freak I don't mind sitting up there, but when I'm sitting in the back I have no idea what's going on--that's when I don't like to fly.

When you're going on a long vacation, do you have a packing strategy?
I have a strategy when it comes to golf clothing because Cutter and Buck scripts what I wear for tournaments. Then I throw in worker clothes, dinner clothes and casual clothes.

At the end of a trip do you feel like you always overpacked?
Most of the time there's always clean stuff in my bag coming home. If that's over-packing, I'm not sure, but most of the time I pack well.

Pick a movie for a long flight.
I like action. It gets my attention the most.

Do you have a favorite?
I like to watch new movies. I'm not a person who watches old movies. If I've seen it, I don't need to see it again.

What's your favorite song on your iPod right now?
I like John Mayer: "Say What You Want To Say."

Are you a reader on long flights? Magazines or books?
I'm a subscriber to several magazines. I get them throughout the weeks and the months. When it's time for long flights, I pick up the magazines I haven't read.

Which ones are at the top of the pile?
I like Shape. I really love Wine Spectator.

Skiing or snowboarding?
Nowadays it's only skiing. I have to focus on one sport.

Did you ever try snowboarding?
I tried it for five years. I enjoy it, but skiing is what I really love. I realized, if I'm only going to ski a few days a year then I'd rather just spend the time on one thing.

What's your favorite ski resort?
I'd say at Lake Tahoe, it's Northstar. That's where we go the most. For our honeymoon we're going to Whistler, so we'll see if I like it there.