Anna Nordqvist will retire from playing professional golf following this week's FM Championship in Boston, bringing an end to her 18-year playing career.
The 39-year-old Swedish golfer announced her decision on social media ahead of the tournament. Nordqvist will captain Team Europe at the Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11 to 13, where Europe will bid to regain the trophy against Team USA.
Nordqvist served as a playing vice-captain in the last two Solheim Cup contests. However, she quickly ruled herself out of juggling captaincy duties with playing in the Netherlands, despite regularly competing on the LPGA Tour and impressing in major championships.
She currently remains inside the top 120 of the Women's World Golf Rankings and holds a spot in the top 75 of the season-long Race to CME Globe standings on the LPGA Tour. Despite her strong form, Nordqvist confirmed her intention to stop competing before the end of the LPGA Tour season.
Nordqvist's statement on retirement
In a post shared jointly by the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, Nordqvist expressed her gratitude as she announced her final event.
"It's with a grateful heart I am retiring from playing professional golf in Boston this week," Nordqvist said.
In a longer letter posted on social media, the Swedish golfer reflected on her journey from starting out in professional golf to competing at the highest level internationally.
"Twenty years ago I came to the US with two suitcases, a golf bag and a dream of one day competing with the best golfers in the world," she wrote. "While my dreams never quite took me this far, I am very proud of myself for how far I've come and grateful for the dream I've been able to live ever since. I can't say it has always been easy, especially being so far away from my family, but they have supported me every step of the way."
Nordqvist also spoke of the resilience required throughout her time on tour. "I've fallen so many times, but I never gave up and I stood up every time I fell," she added. "I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and the people I have met along the way."
She explained that the decision to step away from tournament golf was made to focus on her personal well-being. "I don't know how to say goodbye to something that means so much to me, but this is going to be my last week walking inside the ropes competing on tour," Nordqvist said. "I am not sure what the future has in store for me, but it is with a grateful heart I have decided to retire from playing professional golf to focus on my health and my family. Thank you to everyone who has supported me in this journey and been part of it along the way. It has meant the world to me."
Major championships and Solheim Cup legacy
Nordqvist turned professional in 2008 and quickly established herself as one of the prominent figures in women's golf. She claimed her maiden major title at the 2009 LPGA Championship during her rookie season, before winning her second major at the 2017 Evian Championship and her third at the 2021 AIG Women's Open at Carnoustie.
Across her 18-year career, Nordqvist collected nine LPGA Tour titles and three Ladies European Tour victories. She also represented Sweden twice in the Olympic Games, competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Her international career is defined by her record in the Solheim Cup, the biennial match-play competition between Team Europe and Team USA. Nordqvist played in nine consecutive Solheim Cups, featuring on five winning European teams. Her experience on both sides of the Atlantic made her one of Team Europe's most influential leaders.
Tributes from fellow players and future plans
Following her retirement announcement, tributes poured in from across the golfing world. Fellow Swedish golfer Annika Sorenstam, a 10-time major winner and former world number one, replied to Nordqvist's post to pay tribute to a "great career."
American professional golfers Jessica Korda and Auston Kim were also among those who sent congratulations to Nordqvist as she prepares for her final appearance on the LPGA Tour.
Attention will now shift entirely to Nordqvist's leadership role at the upcoming Solheim Cup. Team Europe will compete against Team USA at Bernardus Golf from September 11 to 13, with the full tournament broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf as Europe aims to regain the trophy.
