Anna Nordqvist closed the curtain on an illustrious 18‑year tenure on the professional circuit with a moving farewell at the FM Championship on Sunday, just 12 days before she steps into the spotlight as captain of Team Europe for the upcoming Solheim Cup, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 39‑year‑old Swede, who earlier this week confirmed that Boston would host her final round, finished her last tournament on the ninth green at TPC Boston surrounded by fellow competitors and their caddies. She posted a level‑par 72 in her concluding round, ending the week one stroke under par and cementing a graceful exit. Throughout her career Nordqvist amassed 16 tour victories, three of which were major championships, and she recorded 19 top‑10 finishes in majors.
Her Solheim Cup résumé is equally impressive, with five European triumphs earned over nine consecutive appearances. In the span of nearly two decades she has crafted a legacy that places her among the most accomplished European golfers of her generation. The emotional weight of the moment was palpable. LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley embraced the retiring champion, while playing partner Ariya Jutanugarn reduced her to tears on the very first hole by expressing how honored she felt to share the final round with the legendary Swede.
"Nothing ever prepares you for this moment. I'm definitely going to miss it," Nordqvist admitted. "A part of me still feels like I have so much more to give, but I am forever grateful for everything this game and the LPGA family have done for me. I arrived on tour in 2009 as a 21‑year‑old with no family in the United States, and everyone has been such a huge support." When pressed about how she would like to be remembered, Nordqvist reflected on the non‑linear nature of her journey: "Many people assume a career is a straight line upward, but I've experienced many highs and lows both on and off the course.
What I hope people remember is that I never gave up." She recalled the darkest moments of her career, noting that she seriously considered quitting in both 2012 and 2013. "If my younger brother hadn't come out and caddied for me that summer, I don't think I would be sitting here today.
He literally saved my career," she said, underscoring the importance of family support. Nordqvist's first major came in her rookie season, when she captured the 2009 LPGA Championship.
She added the Evian Championship in 2017, but the title that holds the most personal significance is the 2021 AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie. "I still pinch myself when I think about that win," she said.
"It feels surreal, and no one can ever take that moment away from me. It's definitely the proudest point of my career." Her nine straight Solheim Cup appearances yielded five victories for Europe, and after serving as a playing vice‑captain in the two most recent editions, she now devotes her full attention to the captaincy—a role that has consumed her thoughts for the past 18 months. "All the work you put in is for others to prepare for that one week," she explained.
"The satisfaction of seeing that preparation pay off won't be felt until the actual Solheim Cup. I hope the players can see the effort that my team and I have invested, because it truly takes a village to stage an event of that magnitude." Family considerations have also been central to her decision to retire. Nordqvist confessed that she has "missed so many birthdays" over two decades of constant travel and competition.
In two weeks she will travel to the Netherlands, where Bernardus Golf will host the first chapter of her post‑playing life. Her nieces and nephews are eagerly awaiting her arrival.
The farewell gifts began even before the final round. Former world No.
1 Lydia Ko presented Nordqvist with a bottle of vintage champagne earlier in the week. At first, Nordqvist wasn't sure what the drink was, noting, "It's a nice bottle, I think it was champagne, maybe, I'm not sure.
I don't drink a lot." The bottle turned out to be from 2009, the year she turned professional—a fitting tribute. A second bottle, dated 2017, awaited her as she stepped off the course; that year she captured the Evian Championship, her first major on European soil. "My mascara is obviously waterproof, so that's a good sign," she joked, smiling through tears. The tournament itself was won by China's Ruoning Yin, who edged out South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim by two strokes after a dramatic finish that included a bold decision on the final par‑five.
Yin's victory marked her sixth career win and placed her among a select group of players who have secured six LPGA titles, including a major, before turning 24. The win also continued China's recent success on the tour, following Miranda Wang's triumph in 2025. The Solheim Cup, now in its 20th edition, will be contested at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Team Europe hopes to reclaim the trophy from the United States.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, September 10, at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports+, with live coverage of all three days of the biennial contest on Sky Sports Golf.
The competition will kick off at 6 a.m. on Friday, September 11, and continue with two sessions each day, culminating in the singles matches on Sunday, September 13, beginning at 9 a.m. As Nordqvist transitions from player to captain, she carries with her a wealth of experience, resilience, and a deep love for the game.
Her story—marked by early triumphs, moments of doubt, familial sacrifice, and ultimate perseverance—offers a powerful example for the next generation of golfers. Whether she is standing on the 9th green for her final round or leading Europe from the captain's bench, Anna Nordqvist's passion for golf and her unwavering determination will continue to inspire both teammates and fans alike.