Why Is Annika Sorenstam Retiring Again?

I have thought long and hard over Annika Sorenstam's decision to retire.

A fellow Wildcat and absolute menace to the LPGA society, Sorenstam has decided at the ripe age of 38 she was going to cash in her putter for Pampers and become a mother and a family lady. That sounds wonderful.

What I don't get is the fact that in what is sure to be the toughest economic time the LPGA has ever seen, the biggest draw in the sport is hanging up her spikes when she is still really dominant.

Annika is playing in her last official tournament as a professional this week at the Dubai Ladies Masters and lo and behold, is leading the damn thing. A two-under 70 to open and a six-under 66 that included four birdies, one eagle and no bogeys has her a shot clear of Nikki Garrett and Maria Verchenova.

I know what the pro-retire fans will say. She's leaving in her prime. She is going out on her own terms. This is a fairytale ending. Maybe you're right. I just don't see why getting out of the game when you can still dominate makes any sense.

John Elway retired after winning two Super Bowls but it wasn't like he was 26 and could run a 4.3. He was past his prime and landed in the perfect situation that allowed Elway to stay mostly in the pocket, toss the ball to Rod Smith or Ed McCaffrey, watch Terrell Davis Mile High Salute a time or two a game, and pocket those rings.

What would Elway have done in 1999 or 2000? Probably shown his age, declined a bit but been an adequate quarterback. I don't think he keeps winning Super Bowls.

Sorenstam can. She can win more majors and more LPGA titles and possibly pass Kathy Whitworth for most career victories. Annika might never get to the 15 major wins by Patty Berg, which is understandable. There have only been two golfers, Berg and Jack Nicklaus, to ever win more than 13 majors in his/her career.

Natalie Gulbis, a star in her own regard on the LPGA, chatted with FanHouse last week and said this about playing a practice round with Sorenstam earlier this month.

I played with her and I was thinking and I asked her, "Why are you retiring?" She hit everything inside of five feet! I mean, her swing looked as good as it did the year she won 10 times.

Obviously, being an independent contractor, as golfers are, you can do whatever you want. Play 10 tournaments a year, play in every one or step away from the game when you feel your time is up.

I just hope that in five years, she isn't kicking herself when her back hurts a little more and she can't hit the ball as far. These are prime years in a golfer's life. I just don't want to be the golf fan that has to say I told you so.