Anna Nordqvist: Team Europe's Solheim Cup captain announces shock mid-season retirement from playing professional golf

Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist has announced via social media that she will retire from playing professional golf after this week's FM Championship, live on Sky Sports.

The three-time major winner will captain Team Europe at Bernardus Golf from September 11-13, having featured in each of the previous nine Solheim Cups as a player and been part of five winning teams.

Nordqvist has been a playing vice-captain in the last two contests but quickly ruled herself out of juggling captaincy with playing against Team USA in the Netherlands, despite still regularly featuring on the LPGA Tour and impressing in the majors.

• Solheim Cup 2026: Teams, format and how qualifying worked
• Who qualified for Team Europe and how did they do it?
• Anna Nordqvist: Captaincy challenge 'more than expected'
• Get Sky Sports or stream golf with no contract

The 39-year-old remains inside the world's top 120 and sits in the top 75 on the Race to CME Globe standings, although has now confirmed her intention to call time on her glittering playing career before the end of the LPGA Tour season.

In a post shared by the LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour, Nordqvist said: "It's with a grateful heart I am retiring from playing professional golf in Boston this week."

Nordqvist won her maiden major in 2009 and last at the 2021 AIG Women's Open, among nine LPGA Tour titles during a career that saw her claim three additional Ladies European Tour victories and represent Sweden twice in the Olympics.

In a letter posted on social media, Nordqvist added: "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.

"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.

"I've fallen so many times, but I never gave up and I stood up every time I fell. I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and the people I have met along the way.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

"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.

"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."

Compatriot Annika Sorenstam - a 10-time major winner - replied to Nordqvist's post to pay tribute to a "great career", with Jessica Korda and Auston Kim among the others to send congratulations after her retirement announcement.

'I always felt like I wanted to finish on my terms' - Nordqvist explains decision

Nordqvist spoke to the media during her pre-tournament press conference in Boston on Wednesday and opened up on the timing of her retirement.

"I said when I took the captaincy job that I wanted to do this journey with the girls, and this is basically the last event before the Solheim Cup, so I feel like I've done and I've given my all and I've been there for them along the way," she said.

"And also, I feel like the last couple years have been really hard for me, you know, trying to get my game back. And I always felt like I wanted to finish on my terms, and I've actually gotten that opportunity.

"This year I finally started feeling like myself again inside the ropes, and I wanted to like finish my career at a note when I was enjoying the game, and I felt like it was in a good place on and off the course.

"So I'm 39 and I have dreams of one day having my own family, so I feel like there is a time and place for everything. But I'm quite content with what I've done and what I accomplished, and it's time to go focus on my family and focus on my health."

Nordqvist also confirmed she had made the decision earlier this year.

Asked how she felt after the retirement message was posted on her social media, she said: "I think it's been a journey for me. So much of the focus basically every single media interview has nothing to do with me this year. It all to do about the Solheim Cup and everyone wants to about ask all these other players.

"So for me I think it was very important to have that moment for myself and being able to process it with my close ones and loved ones. And obviously they knew. I made a decision early this year this was going to be my last year.

"So it's like being able to enjoy Evian and enjoy AIG Women's Open and all those like last moments, last major, last Evian and stuff, and not getting questions asked about it.

"So I think that's what has been really nice for me, just being able to have that."

She also revealed how travel delays had made for a fraught start to her week.

"I had a nightmare coming from Canada. I mean, I had cancelled and delayed flights and took me 22 hours to get from Canada to Boston," added Nordqvist.

"There was one point on Monday I was sitting on the airport floor in Toronto crying because I was going to miss my retirement dinner on Monday night with my team.

"But the commissioner let me skip the player meeting yesterday so I could spend some time with them. But I don't know how it's going to hit me, but I'm just very grateful for this, what this game has given me."

Who will win the Solheim Cup? Watch Team Europe's bid to regain the trophy exclusively live on Sky Sports, with all three days live from September 11-13 on Sky Sports Golf. Get latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.

Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland

Enter Course, City, or Postal Code

Search