Sorenstam completed a career Grand Slam of women's majors

The 33-year-old completed a career Grand Slam, and was the first woman to play on the US men's tour since 1945.

Sorenstam said: "I am deeply honoured, proud of all I have accomplished and thankful to the members of the European press for recognising my achievements.

"I played some great golf. I think I've really taken my game to a different level, which is really my goal but I feel I haven't reached my peak yet."

Sorenstam topped the poll ahead of Britain and Ireland's Walker Cup team, the European Solheim Cup side of which she was a member and European Tour winner Ernie Els.

The trophy is awarded to the player, born or resident in Europe, or team who have made the "most outstanding contribution to golf during the preceding 12 months".

Sorenstam is the first woman to win the award since Alison Nicholas in 1997 and the first ever from outside Great Britain and Ireland apart from the Solheim Cup team in 1992.

She joins Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer and Sergio Garcia as continental Europeans who have won the award on their own.

I'd like to win a few more majors Annika Sorenstam

Sorenstam 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.

She created a huge stir when she accepted an invitation to play in the Bank of America Colonial tournament on the men's US Tour in May.

She missed the halfway cut but earned widespread praise for her performance under enormous pressure.

But the Swede went on to land two major championships, becoming only the sixth player to win a career Grand Slam.

She beat Grace Park in a play-off at the McDonald's LPGA Championship and won the Weetabix Women's British Open for the first time after beating Se Ri Pak by one stroke at Royal Lytham.

With four points from five games, Sorenstam helped Europe regain the Solheim Cup at Barseback in Sweden.

Fairy tale

Sorenstam was also inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and ended the season by finishing second to Freddie Couples in the Skins Game.

"If you measure a year in the amount of victories, last year I won more," she said.

"But the experiences I had this year and obviously Colonial, that's the greatest thing that will ever happen to me.

"It was like a fairy tale and I didn't want it to end. I think it's the best year I've ever had. I have wonderful memories.

"I played some great golf. I think I've really taken my game to a different level, which is really my goal.

"The Colonial was incredible. I'll never forget the first shot. But I want to win majors and I'll also never forget the final tee shot at the British Open. It's probably the best tee shot I've ever hit.