"I was overwhelmed to hear that the Golf Writers have honoured me for a second time by awarding me their prestigious trophy," Sorenstam said.

"It never occurred to me that I might win it twice, and I would like to thank everyone for their continued support; it means a lot to me. It's been a fun year and this is a great early Christmas present to receive!"

Even by her own high standards Sorenstam enjoyed a remarkable season. She won 11 of the 21 tournaments she entered worldwide, including two major championships. She claimed 10 LPGA titles to lead the money list in America for the fifth consecutive year and earn an eighth player of the year title.

At the Mizuno Classic Sorenstam won for fifth year in succession, while in Europe, she won on home soil at the Scandinavian TPC, where, as the tournament host, she was forced to present the trophy to herself. In September the 35-year-old became the highest point-scorer in the history of the Solheim Cup and, at the weekend, she captained an International team to victory over Asia in the inaugural Lexus Cup.

"Although disappointed not to win, I am delighted that Annika took out the AGW player of the year award," said Campbell.

"To win over 50 per cent of the tournaments you enter in a season is a remarkable achievement and I'm thrilled she has been recognised by the AGW for this feat."

Campbell and Montgomerie both returned to top form in stunning fashion in 2005. Campbell, the New Zealander who is resident in Brighton, England, had to qualify for the US Open but then held off the challenge of Tiger Woods at Pinehurst. He also won the HSBC World Match Play Championship.

Montgomerie finished runner-up to Woods in the Open Championship at St Andrews and then won the Dunhill Links Championship at the same venue. The Scot went on to claim an astonishing eighth order of merit title, six years after his unprecedented run of seven in a row came to an end.

But if there is one thing harder than getting to the top in professional sport, it is staying there as Sorenstam has done for the last five years. "We are thrilled that Annikaýs outstanding achievements have been recognised by the members of the AGW through the 2005 Golf Writers' Trophy," said Alexandra Armas, executive director of the Ladies European Tour.

"Over the past year, Annika has continued to dominate women's golf. She has raised the bar on every level and set a tremendous example to her colleagues and millions of fans across the globe. Annika has been integral to the development and success of women's golf in Europe and we at the Ladies European Tour are delighted that she has been justifiably honoured for her many accomplishments in 2005."

Carolyn Bivens, commissioner of the LPGA, said: "Congratulations to Annika for her second Golf Writers' Trophy. She's had another remarkable year, complete with new records. She is a world-class athlete, person and ambassador of the game. I am certain she will cherish this award along with her ever-growing collection of trophies."

Emphasizing the wide-ranging achievements in European golf in 2005 there were also votes for Padraig Harrington, David Howell, Sergio Garcia, the Welsh World Cup winning team of Stephen Dodd and Bradley Dredge, as well as amateurs Lloyd Saltman, Oliver Fisher and Italy's Edoardo Molinari, the first European winner of the US Amateur Championship for 94 years.

The Golf Writers' Trophy, which dates back to 1951, is awarded each year to the individual, born or resident in Europe, or the European team, who have made the most outstanding contribution to golf in the preceding 12 months.

GOLF WRITERS' TROPHY WINNERS

1951 - Max Faulkner

1952 - Miss Elizabeth Price

1953 - Joe Carr

1954 - Miss Frances Stephens

1955 - LGU Junior Team (Mrs BR Bostock, capt)

1956 - John Beharrell

1957 - Dai Rees

1958 - Harry Bradshaw

1959 - Eric Brown

1960 - Sir Stuart Goodwin

1961 - Cdr. RCT Roe

1962 - Mrs Marley Spearman

1963 - Michael Lunt

1964 - Eisenhower Trophy Team (Joe Carr, capt)

1965 - Gerald Micklem

1966 - Ronnie Shade

1967 - John Panton

1968 - Michael Bonallack

1969 - Tony Jacklin

1970 - Tony Jacklin

1971 - Walker Cup Team (Michael Bonallack, capt)

1972 - Miss Mickey Walker

1973 - Peter Oosterhuis

1974 - Peter Oosterhuis

1975 - The Golf Foundation

1976 - Eisenhower Trophy Team (Sandy Saddler, capt)

1977 - Christy O'Connor Sen.

1978 - Peter McEvoy

1979 - Severiano Ballesteros

1980 - Sandy Lyle

1981 - Bernhard Langer

1982 - Gordon Brand Jnr

1983 - Nick Faldo

1984 - Severiano Ballesteros

1985 - Ryder Cup Team (Tony Jacklin, capt)

1986 - Curtis Cup Team (Diane Bailey, capt)

1987 - Ryder Cup Team (Tony Jacklin, capt)

1988 - Sandy Lyle

1989 - Walker Cup Team (Geoff Marks, capt)

1990 - Nick Faldo

1991 - Severiano Ballesteros

1992 - Solheim Cup Team (Mickey Walker, capt)

1993 - Bernhard Langer

1994 - Laura Davies

1995 - Ryder Cup Team (Bernard Gallacher, capt)

1996 - Colin Montgomerie

1997 - Alison Nicholas

1998 - Lee Westwood

1999 - Sergio Garcia

2000 - Lee Westwood

2001 - Walker Cup Team (Peter McEvoy, capt)

2002 - Ryder Cup Team (Sam Torrance, capt)

2003 - Annika Sorenstam

2004 - Ryder Cup Team (Bernhard Langer, capt)

2005 - Annika Sorenstam