Anna Nordqvist, the newly appointed captain of Team Europe for the upcoming Solheim Cup, took to her social media accounts 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, has decided that this tournament will be her final appearance on the LPGA Tour, marking the end of a distinguished playing career that has spanned two decades.
Nordqvist will lead Europe at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11 to 13, a venue that will host the 2026 Solheim Cup. Her involvement with the event is extensive: she has competed in every Solheim Cup since her debut, taking part in nine editions as a player and contributing to five victorious campaigns for Europe. In the two most recent contests she served as a playing vice‑captain, but she quickly ruled out the possibility of combining the captaincy with a playing role this year, opting instead to focus entirely on guiding the team.
Even as she steps away from competition, Nordqvist remains a formidable presence on the tour. She is still ranked inside the world’s top 120 players and sits within the top 75 of the Race to CME Globe points list. Nonetheless, she confirmed that she intends to conclude her playing days before the LPGA season wraps up, citing health and family considerations as the primary motivations behind her decision.
In a joint announcement shared by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, Nordqvist wrote: “It is with a grateful heart that I am retiring from professional golf in Boston this week.” She reflected on her journey, noting that she first arrived in the United States twenty years ago with only two suitcases, a golf bag, and a dream of competing against the world’s best. Her career highlights include a maiden major victory at the 2009 LPGA Championship, a second major at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open, nine LPGA Tour wins, three LET titles, and representing Sweden at two Olympic Games. The former Olympic athlete also penned a heartfelt letter to her followers, acknowledging the sacrifices she made while living far from home.
“My dreams never quite took me this far, but I am incredibly proud of how far I have come,” she wrote. “It hasn’t always been easy, especially being away from my family, but they have supported me every step of the way. I have fallen many times, yet I have always gotten back up. 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 the 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,” she said. “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 announcement prompted an outpouring of respect from fellow golfers.
Annika Sörenstam, a ten‑time major champion and Nordqvist’s compatriot, responded with a tribute to her "great career," while players such as Jessica Korda and Auston Kim also sent congratulatory messages. 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 experience this journey with the girls, and the FM Championship is essentially the final event before the Solheim Cup. I feel I have given my all and been there for the team throughout," she said.
She added that the past few years have been challenging as she worked to regain her form, and she wanted to finish on her own terms, enjoying the game both on and off the course. Looking ahead, Nordqvist expressed her personal aspirations: "I am 39 and I dream of starting my own family, so I feel the time is right to shift my focus to health and family life. I am content with what I have accomplished and ready to move on." She confirmed that the decision to retire had been made earlier in the year, but she waited until now to share it publicly so she could fully savor her final tournaments, including the Evian Championship and the AIG Women’s Open, without constant media scrutiny.
Travel woes added 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 feared missing my retirement dinner with the team," she said, noting that the tour commissioner allowed her to skip a mandatory player meeting so she could join the celebration. As the Solheim Cup approaches, fans will be watching to see whether Team Europe can reclaim the trophy from the United States.
All three days of the competition will be televised live on Sky Sports Golf, with streaming options available through NOW without a contract. Meanwhile, Nordqvist’s retirement marks the end of an era for a player who has left an indelible mark on women’s golf and will now embark on a new chapter beyond the fairways.