Anna Nordqvist closed the chapter on an 18‑year professional golf career with a heartfelt farewell at the FM Championship on Sunday, just 12 days before she steps into the spotlight as captain of Team Europe for the Solheim Cup, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 39‑year‑old Swede, who earlier this week confirmed that the Boston event would be her final appearance, completed her last round on the ninth green at TPC Boston surrounded by fellow competitors and their caddies. She posted a level‑par 72 in the final round, finishing the tournament one stroke under par for the week.
Over the span of her career, Nordqvist amassed 16 professional victories, three of which were major championships, and recorded 19 top‑10 finishes in majors. She also contributed to five Solheim Cup triumphs across nine straight appearances, cementing her status as one of the most accomplished European golfers of her generation. Her résumé places her among the elite, with a record that will be remembered for years to come.
The emotional moment was heightened when LPGA Hall of Famer Pat Bradley embraced her, and playing partner Ariya Jutanugarn moved her to tears on the very first hole by expressing how honored she felt to share the legendary Swede's final round. "Nothing ever prepares you for this moment. I'm definitely going to miss it," Nordqvist said, her voice wavering.
"A part of me feels like I still have so much more left in me, but I'm forever grateful for everything this game and the LPGA family have given 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 asked what she hopes her legacy will be, Nordqvist reflected on the unpredictable nature of a professional athlete's journey.
"Many people think a career is a straight line upward, but I've experienced many ups and downs both on and off the course. I want to be remembered for never giving up," she explained. She recounted the dark moments in 2012 and 2013 when she seriously considered quitting.
"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, acknowledging the pivotal role her family played in keeping her in the game.
Nordqvist's first major victory came as a rookie in 2009, and she added the Evian Championship in 2017 to her collection. However, the title she cherishes most is the 2021 AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie.
"I still pinch myself when I think about that win. No one can ever take that away from me, and it's definitely the proudest moment of my career," she said, her eyes shining with pride. Her nine consecutive Solheim Cup appearances resulted in five European victories.
After serving as a playing vice‑captain in the last two editions, she now turns her full attention to the captaincy—a role she says 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 noted.
"The satisfaction of seeing your hard work pay off won't come until the actual Solheim Cup. I hope the players can see the effort that me and the rest of the support team have invested, because it truly takes a village to make an event like that happen." Family has been at the core of both her decision to retire and her plans for the future.
Nordqvist admitted she has "missed so many birthdays" over two decades of sacrifice. In two weeks, her nieces and nephews will be waiting for her in the Netherlands, where Bernardus Golf will host her first assignment as captain. Gifts began arriving even before the farewell ceremony.
Former world No. 1 Lydia Ko presented her with a bottle of champagne earlier in the week, which Nordqvist later identified as a 2009 vintage—the same year her rookie season began, a fitting tribute.
A second bottle, a 2017 vintage, commemorated her Evian Championship win, marking her first major triumph on European soil. Tears flowed throughout the day, but Nordqvist left the interview room smiling. "2017 was a memorable year," she said, adding with a wry smile, "My mascara is obviously waterproof, so that's a good sign." The tournament concluded with China's Ruoning Yin claiming the title by two strokes over South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim, who closed with a two‑under 70 capped by a birdie on the final hole.
Yin's victory ended a 672‑day winless stretch dating back to the 2024 Maybank Championship. Her decisive moment came on the 12th hole, where she ignored caddie David Jones' advice to play safely and instead went for the pin, a bold move that paid off and propelled her to the win.
This marked Yin's sixth career victory and, together with her 2023 KPMG Women's PGA Championship, placed her among a select group of six‑time LPGA winners under the age of 24, joining the likes of Nelly Korda. Other notable finishes included Allisen Corpuz in third place, while the world No. 1 Nelly Korda finished tied for 50th in what will be her final tournament before the Solheim Cup.
England's Charley Hull and Lottie Woad tied for 18th and 27th respectively. Both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour will observe a week‑long break ahead of the 20th Solheim Cup, scheduled to take place at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
Team Europe will be looking to reclaim the trophy from the United States. The opening ceremony is set for Thursday, September 10, at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports+, followed by round‑the‑clock coverage across all three days on Sky Sports Golf.
Broadcasts begin at 6 a.m. on Friday, September 11, continue with two sessions each day, and culminate with the singles matches on Sunday, September 13, starting at 9 a.m. Viewers can also explore streaming options on NOW and find the best Sky Sports deals without a contract.
In summary, Anna Nordqvist's emotional farewell not only marked the end of a distinguished playing career but also signaled the beginning of a new chapter as Solheim Cup captain. Her journey—from a solitary 21‑year‑old newcomer to a three‑time major champion and beloved team leader—exemplifies perseverance, resilience, and the power of support from family, friends, and the broader golf community. As she steps into her captaincy role, the sport will watch closely to see how she translates her experience and tenacity into guiding Europe toward another historic victory.