Sorenstam and Love III headline latest PGA Hall of Fame inductees

Annika Sorenstam and Davis Love III were among those honoured as the PGA of America officially inducted the latest class to their Hall of Fame.

The duo were joined by LPGA co-founder Shirley Spork as six legends from the men’s and women’s game were recognised.

PGA Tour champion and brodcaster Dave Marr II, former PGA president Derek Sprague and Ping founder Karsten Solheim completed the class.

Sorenstam is one of the all-time greats, having fashioned a career that brought 10 majors among 93 professional titles.

She retired from playing the game in 2008 but continues to be involved through her Annika Foundation, as well as hosting some professional events.

She said: “It is the whole package. It is more than golf.”

Love III recently joined the CBS Golf team despite having not hung up his clubs. The former Ryder Cup captain will still compete in select PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions events but will be mainly found giving his take in the TV studio.

He has won 21 times on the PGA Tour, including a major at the 1997 PGA Championship, and has captained the US team on two occasions.

He was unable to attend the ceremony but, in an acceptance video, gave thanks to the PGA for their part in his two stints as a Ryder Cup captain and hinted he may be involved again at next year’s event.

“I just wanted you to know that I would love to drive a cart in 2020,” he said.

The late Solheim was the man behind the hugely successful golf manufacturers and was a founder of the premier team event in women’s golf, the Solheim Cup.

Marr’s successful playing career on the PGA Tour saw his marquee win come at the 1965 PGA Championship.

He went on to captain arguably the greatest American Ryder Cup team ever when a US side packed with major champions crushed Europe at Walton Heath in 1981. He died in 1997.

Sprague has had an illustrious career in golf and continues to be involved with the game.

His career highlight came with his two-year presidency of the PGA, which came to an end in 2016. He is now honorary president.

Finally, Spork is one of two remaining founders of the LPGA and still plays nine holes of golf each week despite being 92-years-old.

Following the formation of the LPGA, she went on to be a co-founder of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals division, which has more than 1,700 teachers today.

Barbara Nicklaus, meanwhile, received the PGA Distinguished Service Award.