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 lead Team Europe at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11‑13, having participated in every Solheim Cup since her debut and contributing to five victorious campaigns. Although Nordqvist served as a playing vice‑captain in the two most recent editions, she quickly concluded that she could not balance the responsibilities of captaincy with competing against the United States in the Netherlands.
She continues to play regularly on the LPGA Tour and remains competitive in the majors, currently ranking inside the world’s top 120 and sitting within the top 75 of the Race to CME Globe points list. Nevertheless, she has confirmed that she intends to end her illustrious playing career before the LPGA season concludes.
In a joint post shared by the LPGA 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 a career that began in 2009 when she captured her first major at the LPGA Championship, and later added a second major at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open. Over the years she amassed nine LPGA Tour victories, three LET titles, and represented Sweden at two Olympic Games. Her farewell message continued: “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 took me this far, I am extremely proud of how far I have come and grateful for the journey I have lived. It has not 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; each time I got back on my feet. I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and for the people I have met along the way.
I don’t know how to say goodbye to something that means so much to me, but this will be my final week competing 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 response from the golfing community was swift and heartfelt. Annika Sörenstam, a compatriot and ten‑time major winner, posted a tribute praising Nordqvist’s “great career,” while 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 experience this journey with the girls, and this event is essentially the last stop before the Solheim Cup. I feel I have given everything I can and have been there for the team throughout,” she said.
She added that the past few seasons had been physically demanding as she worked to regain her form, and that 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 on a positive note, both on and off the course," she explained. "I’m 39 now, and I have dreams of starting a family, so I believe the time is right to shift my focus to health and family. Nordqvist confirmed that the decision had been made earlier in the year.
When asked how she felt after posting her retirement announcement, she said the media focus had largely shifted to the Solheim Cup, which allowed her to process the news privately with close friends and family. "It was important for me to have that moment for myself and to be able to enjoy my final major appearances—Evian, the AIG Women’s Open—without constant questioning about my retirement," she noted.
She also recounted a chaotic start to the week caused by travel delays. "I endured a nightmare journey from Canada—canceled and delayed flights turned a 22‑hour trip into a marathon. At one point I was sitting on the airport floor in Toronto, crying, because I feared missing my retirement dinner with the team," she recalled.
The LPGA commissioner granted her an exemption from the player meeting, allowing her to spend precious time with teammates. Looking ahead, Nordqvist expressed optimism for Team Europe’s chances in the upcoming Solheim Cup.
The competition will be televised live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13, and fans can also stream the action via NOW without a contract. She concluded by thanking the sport that has given her so much and by wishing her fellow competitors the best.
For golf enthusiasts wanting to experience the tournament atmosphere, Sky Sports offers exclusive coverage, while golfers can book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland through the platform’s booking service.