Anna Nordqvist, the current captain of Team Europe for the Solheim Cup, took to her social media platforms this week to reveal that she will hang up her professional golf clubs after the FM Championship, which is being broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 39‑year‑old Swede, a three‑time major champion, will lead Europe at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11‑13, having participated in every Solheim Cup over the past nine editions as a player and contributing to five victorious campaigns. Although Nordqvist served as a playing vice‑captain in the two most recent Cups, she quickly dismissed the notion of combining the captain’s duties with competing against the United States in the upcoming event.
She remains an active competitor on the LPGA Tour, still posting strong finishes in major tournaments, and currently sits within the world’s top 120 players and inside the top 75 of the Race to CME Globe leaderboard. Nevertheless, she confirmed that she intends to end her distinguished playing career before the conclusion of the LPGA season. In a joint post 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 a career that began in 2004 when she arrived in the United States with just two suitcases, a set of clubs, and a dream of competing at the highest level. Her first major triumph came at the 2009 LPGA Championship, and she added a second major at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open, complementing nine LPGA Tour victories, three LET wins, and two Olympic appearances for Sweden.
The former world No. 1 continued, "While my dreams never quite took me this far, I am incredibly proud of how far I have come and grateful for the opportunity to live that dream. It has not always been easy, especially being far from family, but their support has been unwavering.
I have fallen many times, yet I have never given up, always rising after each setback. I will forever cherish what the game has given me and the people I have met along the way." She added, "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 I have decided, with a grateful heart, to retire in order to focus on my health and my family.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey; it has meant the world to me." The announcement prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow golfers. Ten‑time major winner Annika Sörenstam, a compatriot and one of the sport’s legends, praised 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 wanted to experience this journey with the girls, and the FM Championship is essentially the last event before the Solheim Cup. I feel I have given my all, been there for the team, and now it’s time to step back," she said. She also spoke candidly about the physical challenges she has faced in recent years, noting that she wanted to finish on her own terms. "This season I finally felt like myself again on the course, and I wanted to end my career while I was still enjoying the game and feeling good both on and off the course," she added.
Nordqvist also touched on her personal aspirations. "I’m 39 now and I have dreams of starting a family, so I believe there is a time and place for everything. I’m content with what I have achieved, and it’s time to focus on my family and my health," she said.
She clarified 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 the retirement announcement, she reflected, "It has been a journey. Most media interviews this year have centered on the Solheim Cup rather than me personally. It was important to have this moment for myself, to process it with close friends and family, and to enjoy the final majors—Evian, the AIG Women’s Open—without the pressure of constant questioning." Travel woes added drama to 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 feared missing my retirement dinner with the team," she recalled. The LPGA commissioner allowed her to skip the mandatory player meeting so she could spend that evening with her teammates, a gesture she described as "a great kindness that let me focus on what truly matters." Looking ahead, Nordqvist’s departure opens a new chapter for Team Europe as they prepare to challenge the United States for the Solheim Cup trophy.
Fans can watch the three‑day competition live on Sky Sports Golf from September 11‑13, with streaming options available through NOW without a contract. The tournament promises high‑stakes drama, as Europe seeks to reclaim the Cup after a recent loss. Beyond the immediate competition, Nordqvist’s legacy will endure: a career marked by perseverance, major victories, and a deep commitment to the growth of women’s golf in Europe and worldwide. Her decision to retire on her own terms, prioritising health and family, serves as an inspiring example for future generations of players navigating the demanding balance between elite sport and personal well‑being.