ANNIKA SORENSTAM ELECTED AS NEW IGF PRESIDENT

Ten-time major winner, Sweden's Annika Sorenstam is to take over as the new president of the International Golf Federation, on 1 January 2021.

Annika Sorenstam, who was a global ambassador for golf’s return to the Olympics in Rio, is to succeed former R&A chief executive Peter Dawson as the new International Golf Federation (IGF) president.

After 10 years of service, Dawson had notified the Board that he would not seek reappointment when his current two-year term expired at the end of the year. In light of Dawson’s decision, the IGF board elected Sorenstam as the IGF president, effective January 1, 2021.

Peter Dawson said:

"It has been a great pleasure and privilege to serve as IGF President. Golf’s reinstatement to the Olympic programme was a landmark for our sport and it was a true thrill to witness our return at Rio 2016. Our Olympic status has been a strong catalyst for increasing cooperation and coordination between the major organisations in golf and has significantly strengthened the bonds between the IGF and our National Federations."

"My thanks go to so many people in golf and in the Olympic family for their support over the past 10 years,” he added. “Their help and goodwill have been invaluable. I wish my successor, Annika Sorenstam, every success. The IGF could not be in better hands."

The chairman of the IGF Board, Jay Monahan, who is also the PGA Tour Commissioner, said:

"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."

Annika Sorenstam said:

"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. 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."

In addition to naming Annika Sorenstam as the new IGF President, the IGF Board has appointed PGA Tour executive Ty Votaw to another term as IGF Vice President.

About the International Golf Federation (IGF)

The International Golf Federation is the international federation recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the world governing body for golf. The headquarters of the IGF is located by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In addition to the two World Amateur Team Championships, the Eisenhower Trophy for men and the Espirito Santo Trophy for women, the IGF organizes the golf competitions at the Olympic Games and the Youth Olympic Games.