Anna Nordqvist, the long‑time Solheim Cup captain for Europe, took to social media this week to reveal that she will hang up her professional golf clubs after the FM Championship, a tournament that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 39‑year‑old Swede, a three‑time major champion, confirmed that the Boston event will be her final appearance on the LPGA Tour, marking the end of a distinguished playing career that has spanned two decades.
Nordqvist will still serve as captain for Team Europe at the upcoming Solheim Cup, which will be contested at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11 to 13. She has been a fixture in every Solheim Cup since her debut, playing in the previous nine editions and contributing to five victorious campaigns.
In the last two Cups she acted as a playing vice‑captain, but she quickly ruled out the possibility of combining the captaincy with a playing role in this year’s contest, opting instead to focus on her new responsibilities while still competing on the LPGA Tour when her schedule permits. Despite still being ranked inside the world’s top 120 and sitting within the top 75 of the Race to CME Globe points race, Nordqvist said she intends to retire before the conclusion of the 2026 LPGA season. In a joint post shared by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, she wrote, "It is with a grateful heart that I am retiring from professional golf in Boston this week." Her résumé includes a maiden major victory at the 2009 LPGA Championship, a second major at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open, and a total of nine LPGA Tour wins. She has also captured three titles on the Ladies European Tour and represented Sweden at the Olympic Games on two occasions.
In a heartfelt letter posted to her social channels, Nordqvist reflected on her journey: "Twenty years ago I came to 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 took me this far, I am very proud of how far I have come and grateful for the opportunity to live that dream." She continued, "It hasn’t always been easy, especially being far from my family, but they have supported me every step of the way. I have fallen many times, but I never gave up and I got back up each time.
I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and for the people I have met along the way." Nordqvist admitted that saying goodbye to a sport that has defined her life is 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 to retire to focus on my health and my family.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me; it has meant the world to me," she wrote. The reaction from the golfing community was swift and supportive. Annika Sörenstam, Sweden’s ten‑time major champion and a close compatriot, praised Nordqvist’s "great career" in the comments, while fellow players 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 step away. "When I accepted the captaincy, I said I wanted to share this journey with the girls, and this event is essentially the last 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 have been a struggle to regain her form, and she wanted to finish on her own terms. "This year I finally felt like myself again inside the ropes, and I wanted to end my career while I was still enjoying the game and feeling good both on and off the course," she explained. Looking ahead, Nordqvist said she hopes to start a family and spend more time with loved ones.
"I’m 39, and I have dreams of having my own family, so there is a time and a place for everything. I’m content with what I have accomplished, and now it’s time to focus on my family and my health," she affirmed. She also disclosed that the decision to retire had been made earlier in the year, but she waited for the right moment to announce it publicly. When asked how she felt after posting the retirement message, Nordqvist described it as a personal milestone that allowed her to process the transition surrounded by close friends and family.
"It was important for me to have that moment for myself and to be able to enjoy the final tournaments – the Evian, the AIG Women’s Open – without the constant media focus on my retirement," she said. Travel woes added drama to the start of her final week.
Nordqvist recounted a harrowing 22‑hour journey from Canada to Boston, including 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 recalled, before the tournament commissioner granted her an exemption from the player meeting so she could join her teammates.
Looking forward, the Solheim Cup will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf, with all three days of competition from September 11‑13 available to viewers. Fans can also stream the event via NOW without a contract, and Sky Sports continues to offer promotional deals for golf enthusiasts. In summary, Anna Nordqvist’s announcement marks the end of an era for one of Europe’s most accomplished golfers. Her legacy includes major championships, multiple tour victories, and a pivotal role in Europe’s Solheim Cup successes.
As she steps away from competitive play to prioritize health and family, the golfing world wishes her the very best in the next chapter of her life.