Anna Nordqvist, the seasoned Solheim Cup captain, took to social media this week to reveal that she will hang up her professional golf clubs after the upcoming FM Championship, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 39‑year‑old Swede, a three‑time major champion, will still lead Team Europe at the Bernardus Golf venue in the Netherlands from September 11‑13, but she has decided to end her playing career before the season concludes.
Nordqvist’s involvement with the Solheim Cup spans more than a decade. She has competed in each of the last nine editions of the event and has been a member of five victorious European squads.
In the two most recent tournaments she served as a playing vice‑captain, but she quickly ruled out the possibility of juggling the dual responsibilities of captain and player in this year’s competition. Despite still appearing regularly on the LPGA Tour and delivering strong performances in major championships, she felt the demands of both roles would be too great. At present, Nordqvist remains inside the world’s top‑120 players and is positioned within the top‑75 of the Race to CME Globe rankings. Nevertheless, she has confirmed that she intends to call time on her illustrious playing career before the LPGA season wraps up.
In a joint post shared by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, she wrote, "It is with a grateful heart that I retire from professional golf in Boston this week." Her résumé includes a first major victory at the 2009 LPGA Championship and a most recent triumph at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open, alongside nine individual LPGA Tour wins, three Ladies European Tour titles, and two Olympic appearances representing Sweden. In a heartfelt letter posted on her social channels, Nordqvist reflected on her two‑decade journey: "Twenty years ago I arrived in the United States with two suitcases, a golf bag and a dream of one day competing with the best golfers in the world.
While my dreams never quite carried me this far, I am immensely proud of how far I have come and grateful for the life I have been able to live." She went on to acknowledge the challenges of being far from family, the countless setbacks she endured, and the unwavering support she received: "I have fallen many times, but I never gave up and I stood up every time I fell. I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and the people I have met along the way." Nordqvist admitted that saying goodbye to a sport that has defined her life is difficult, yet she feels ready to step away: "I don’t know how to say goodbye 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 with a grateful heart I have decided to retire from professional golf 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 reaction from fellow players was swift and supportive. Swedish legend Annika Sörenstam, a ten‑time major champion, posted a tribute praising Nordqvist’s "great career," while current tour members such as Jessica Korda and Auston Kim also sent congratulations. During her pre‑tournament press conference in Boston, Nordqvist explained why she chose this moment to retire.
She said, "When I accepted the captaincy, I wanted to share this journey with the girls, and this tournament is essentially the final event before the Solheim Cup. I feel I have given my all, been there for them, and now it’s time to step back." She added that the past few years have been particularly challenging as she worked to regain her form, and she wanted to finish on her own terms: "I finally felt like myself again inside the ropes this year, and I wanted to end my career while I was still enjoying the game and feeling good both on and off the course." Looking ahead, Nordqvist expressed personal aspirations beyond golf. "I am 39 and I dream of starting a family someday, so I believe there is a time and place for everything. I am content with what I have accomplished, and now I want to focus on my family and my health," she said.
She confirmed that the decision to retire was made earlier in the year, but she kept it private until now to avoid distractions. When asked how she felt after posting her retirement announcement, she emphasized the importance of having a moment to process the news with loved ones: "Most of the media coverage this year has been about the Solheim Cup, not about me personally. It was vital for me to have this quiet time with my close ones, especially since I had already decided this would be my final season." Nordqvist also recounted the logistical nightmare that marked the start of her week. A series of flight cancellations and delays forced her to endure a 22‑hour journey from Canada to Boston.
"At one point on Monday I was sitting on the airport floor in Toronto, crying, because I thought I would miss my retirement dinner with the team," she recalled. The tournament commissioner eventually allowed her to skip a player meeting so she could join the dinner, a gesture she deeply appreciated. As the Solheim Cup approaches, fans can watch Team Europe’s quest to reclaim the trophy live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13.
The event will be streamed without a contract on NOW, and Sky Sports is offering various deals for viewers. For those interested in playing the sport themselves, a search tool is available to find discounted rates at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland.
In summary, Anna Nordqvist’s announcement marks the end of an era for one of Europe’s most accomplished golfers. Her decision to retire at this juncture reflects a desire to leave the game on a high note, to prioritize personal well‑being, and to embrace the next chapter of her life. The golf community worldwide has responded with admiration and gratitude, celebrating a career that has inspired countless aspiring players and contributed significantly to the growth of women’s golf.