Anna Nordqvist, the newly appointed captain of Team Europe for the Solheim Cup, took to social media this week to reveal that she will hang up her professional golf clubs after the FM Championship, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 39‑year‑old Swede, a three‑time major champion, will lead Europe at the Bernardus Golf Course in the Netherlands from September 11‑13, a tournament that will also serve as her final appearance on the LPGA Tour before she steps away from competitive play. Nordqvist’s involvement with the Solheim Cup stretches back two decades.
She has played in each of the last nine editions of the event, contributing to five victorious European teams. In the two most recent Cups she served as a playing vice‑captain, but she quickly ruled out the possibility of juggling the dual responsibilities of captain and player for the upcoming contest. Despite still competing regularly on the LPGA Tour and posting solid results in major championships, she decided that the demands of leading a team and maintaining her own game were no longer compatible.
At the time of her announcement, Nordqvist remained comfortably inside the world’s top 120 players and was positioned within the top 75 on the Race to CME Globe leaderboard. Nevertheless, she confirmed that she intends to conclude her illustrious playing career before the end of the current LPGA season, opting to prioritize her health and family life. In a joint post shared by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, Nordqvist wrote, “It is with a grateful heart that I announce my retirement from professional golf here in Boston this week.” She reflected on her journey, noting that she first arrived in the United States twenty years ago with just two suitcases, a golf bag, and a dream of competing against the world’s best. Although her aspirations did not unfold exactly as imagined, she expressed pride in how far she has come and gratitude for the opportunities the sport has afforded her.
Nordqvist’s résumé includes a maiden major victory at the 2009 LPGA Championship and a second major triumph at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open. Over the course of her career she has amassed nine LPGA Tour wins, three Ladies European Tour titles, and the honor of representing Sweden at two Olympic Games.
Her retirement statement continued, "I have stumbled many times, but I have never given up, always rising after each fall. I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and for the people I have met along the way." She admitted that saying goodbye to a sport that has defined much of her adult life was difficult: "I don’t know how to say farewell to something that means so much to me, but this will be my last week walking inside the ropes on tour. I am not sure what the future holds, but I have decided, with a grateful heart, to retire to focus on my health and my family. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey—it has meant the world to me." The response from the golfing community was swift and heartfelt.
Annika Sörenstam, a compatriot and ten‑time major champion, posted a tribute praising Nordqvist’s "great career," while fellow players such as Jessica Korda and Auston Kim also extended congratulations. During her pre‑tournament press conference in Boston, Nordqvist explained why she chose this moment to retire. "When I accepted the captaincy, I said I wanted to share this journey with the girls, and this event is essentially the final stop before the Solheim Cup. I feel I have given my all and been there for them throughout," she said.
She added that the past few years had been particularly challenging as she worked to regain her form, and she wanted to finish on her own terms while she still enjoyed the game. "I finally felt like myself again inside the ropes this year, and I wanted to end my career on a positive note, both on and off the course," Nordqvist explained.
She also spoke about her personal aspirations, noting, "I am 39 and I have dreams of starting a family, so I believe there is a time and place for everything. I am content with what I have achieved and now it is time to focus on my health and my family." Nordqvist confirmed that the decision to retire had been made earlier in the year, but she kept it private until the FM Championship. When asked how she felt after posting her retirement message, she said the timing allowed her to enjoy the final majors—such as the Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s Open—without the distraction of constant media inquiries about her future.
Travel woes added an extra layer of drama to her final week. Nordqvist recounted a harrowing 22‑hour journey from Canada to Boston, which included cancelled flights and a sleepless night on the floor of Toronto’s airport.
"I was crying because I thought I would miss my retirement dinner with the team," she said, noting that the tournament commissioner allowed her to skip a player meeting so she could join the celebration. Looking ahead, Nordqvist will shift her focus to preparing Europe for the September Solheim Cup, which will be televised live on Sky Sports Golf. Fans can follow the three‑day showdown and see whether Team Europe can reclaim the trophy from the United States. Meanwhile, Nordqvist’s legacy remains intact: a career defined by perseverance, major victories, and an unwavering commitment to the sport she loves.
For those interested in playing the game themselves, Sky Sports offers streaming options without a contract through NOW, and a searchable database of over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland is available for booking.