Annika Sorenstam has been named 2003 Golfer of the Year, by the Association of Golf Writers, recognising the 33 year-old Swede's achievements during an astonishing 12 months.
She topped the annual poll for golfers who compete regularly in Europe, ahead of the women's Solheim Cup team, the Walker Cup amateurs and European No.1 Ernie Els.
Darren Clarke and amateur Order of Merit winner Gary Wolstenholme also featured in the voting by a distinguished group of golf correspondents.
Sorenstam brought unprecedented attention to her sport by becoming the first woman to play in a men's US PGA Tour event at the Bank of America Colonial tournament in May.
She utilised the experience by winning two major championships on the LPGA Tour and becoming only the sixth player to win a career grand slam.
Sorenstam beat Grace Park in a playoff at the McDonald's LPGA Championship and won the Weetabix Women's British Open at for the first time after beating Se Ri Pak by one stroke in a thrilling final-round duel at Royal Lytham and St Anne's.
And with four points from five games, the women's World No.1 inspired Europe to regain the Solheim Cup in front of a huge home crowds at Barseback in Sweden. She had seven worldwide victories, set or tied 22 LPGA records, won the money list for a third successive year and was the LPGA Player of the Year for the sixth time.
Sorenstam ended the season by finishing second to Freddie Couples in the Skins Game, holing a monumental 80-yard bunker shot.
"I am deeply honoured," said Sorenstam. "The 2003 season has been an incredible year for me, from playing at the Colonial to achieving the LPGA career grand slam to competing in the Solheim Cup and the Skins Game - with many other highlights in between.
"I am proud of all that I have accomplished and I am truly thankful to the members of European press for recognising my achievements. It means a lot to me to join the prestigious list of past recipients of the Golf Writers' Trophy."
Sorenstam is the first woman to win the award since Alison Nicholas in 1997. She joins Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Sergio Garcia as continental Europeans who have won the award as an individual.
Ty Votaw, LPGA commissioner, said: "Annika has made a lasting mark on so many golf fans worldwide, and with her marvellous performances this year. She has brought increased awareness and excitement to the sport and as her celebrity grows worldwide."
Ian Randell, chief executive of the Evian Ladies European Tour, said: "Annika continues to set new standards and has raised the expectations of others by showing them the dedication required to perform at a level previously unmatched. Everything she has done has had a very positive impact for the women's game."
Sorenstam added: "The experiences I had this year, and obviously Colonial, are the greatest that will ever happen to me. It was like a fairy tale and I didn't want it to end.
"The Colonial was incredible. I'll never forget the first shot on the 10th tee. But I want to win majors, so I look back on a year where I won two majors. I mean, the tee shot at the British Open on the 18th (on the final day when tied for the lead with Pak) I'll never forget. It's probably the best tee shot I've ever hit."
*Ernie Els was earlier named Asprey Golfer of the Year on the European Tour and for his exquisite 9-iron approach to the 72nd hole in the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, to force a play-off and eventually win, Freddie Jacobson, was awarded Shot of the Year in Europe.
Andrew Butcher
