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Annika Sorenstam named new IGF president as golf plans for Tokyo Olympics
Kevin C. Cox
Annika Sorenstam was named the new president of the International Golf Federation Thursday as the sport prepares for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
Sorenstam, a 10-time major winner and World Golf Hall of Famer, will replace Peter Dawson as head of the IGF. Dawson had been in the position for 10 years, and played a role in shepherding golf’s return to the Summer Games in 2016.
“Peter did a great job the last 10 years as IGF president, and I am humbled and honored to have been asked to succeed him,” Sorenstam said. “As an international player, having golf back in the Olympics means so much to me and to our sport. I very much look forward to working with the board, the IOC and the governing bodies of golf in their efforts to continue to grow the game globally.”
Added Jay Monahan, commissioner of the PGA Tour who also is an IGF board chairman: “With Peter’s impending departure, we are thrilled to have someone as accomplished and universally respected as Annika Sorenstam to move into the role as IGF president. As a generational talent in women’s golf, Annika played a prominent role in golf’s successful Olympic bid by serving as a global ambassador with Jack Nicklaus and since retiring from competition, has been dedicated to promoting women’s golf at all levels through her foundation. She is the ideal person to succeed Peter in this role.”
The IGF board was addressed by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and IOC sports director Kit McConnell on updates to Tokyo preparations, with the duo expressing a commitment that the Olympics will go on after last summer's postponement due to COVID-19. The IGF asserted their support for the Games and a promise to host its competition in a safe manner.
The women’s Olympic golf competition is scheduled to begin July 29, 2021 at Kasumigaseki C.C., with the men’s tournament starting on Aug. 4. Golf remains a trial sport in the Summer Games, with a guaranteed spot in 2021 and 2024 in Paris, but the International Olympic Committee has not committed further.