The short version
- Anna Nordqvist will retire from professional golf after competing in the upcoming FM Championship near Boston.
- The Swedish player has won three major titles and earned over $14 million during her eighteen-year career.
- Nordqvist plans to focus on her health and family following recent personal losses and medical procedures.
Anna Nordqvist, a three-time major champion in professional golf, has announced that she will retire from competitive play after participating in the FM Championship this week near Boston. The decision marks the end of an eighteen-year professional career for the thirty-nine-year-old Swede, who has been a prominent figure on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour. Nordqvist made the announcement via social media, expressing gratitude for the opportunities she has had since arriving in the United States two decades ago with little more than her golf bag and a dream of competing at the highest level.
Her professional journey has been defined by resilience and high-level achievement. Nordqvist secured her first major victory at the LPGA Championship in 2009, the same year she made her debut in the Solheim Cup. She added two more major titles to her resume with wins at the Evian Championship in 2017 and the Women's Open in 2021. Throughout her career, she has accumulated nine victories on the LPGA Tour and five on the Ladies European Tour, earning a total of $14.1 million in prize money. Despite currently ranking one hundred and eighteenth in the world, she has demonstrated continued competitiveness, finishing tied for seventh at the Evian Championship in July and tied for twenty-ninth at the most recent Women's Open.
Nordqvist’s connection to team golf is particularly strong, having participated in nine editions of the Solheim Cup. She helped Europe secure the trophy on five occasions during her tenure as a player. In a final competitive role before stepping away from individual tour events, she will serve as captain for the European team when they host the United States at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands from September 11 to 13. This upcoming event will be her last involvement in the biennial contest, closing a chapter that began with her debut nearly two decades ago.
The decision to retire comes after a period of significant personal hardship and health challenges for Nordqvist. In 2023, she suffered the sudden death of her husband, Kevin McAlpine, who was thirty-nine years old at the time of his passing. The couple had been going through a divorce when he died. Following this loss, Nordqvist underwent surgery in the summer of 2024 to remove a benign cyst from her stomach. These events have clearly influenced her timeline for stepping back from the rigors of professional competition.
In her public statement, Nordqvist reflected on the difficulties of maintaining a career far from home and the emotional toll of those years. She acknowledged that the path was not always easy, particularly given the distance from her family, but emphasized their unwavering support throughout her career. She described a pattern of falling and getting back up, noting that she never gave up despite the setbacks. Her message conveyed a sense of pride in how far she had come, even if the outcome differed slightly from her initial aspirations.
Nordqvist expressed deep appreciation for the game of golf and the people she has encountered along the way. She noted the difficulty of saying goodbye to something that holds such significant meaning in her life. The FM Championship will be her final week walking inside the ropes as a competitor on tour. This event serves as the formal conclusion to her status as an active player, after which she will no longer participate in professional tournaments.
Looking ahead, Nordqvist indicated uncertainty regarding her future plans beyond golf. She stated that she intends to focus on her health and her family moving forward. The transition from a high-profile athletic career to private life represents a significant shift for an athlete who has been visible on the international stage for nearly twenty years. Her retirement removes one of the most experienced players from the current tour landscape, particularly within the context of major championship contention.
The timing of her retirement allows her to complete her duties as Europe's Solheim Cup captain, providing a structured endpoint to her competitive involvement. This final team appearance offers a symbolic conclusion to her long association with the event, where she has been a consistent contributor to European success. As she prepares for the FM Championship, attention will likely focus on how she performs in these final outings and how she manages the transition out of professional sports.
Nordqvist’s career arc reflects both the highs of major championship victories and the lows of personal loss. Her ability to return to competitive form after significant adversity underscores the mental fortitude required at the elite level of golf. While her current world ranking suggests a decline in recent performance metrics, her historical impact on the sport remains substantial. The golfing community will watch her final tournament with interest, marking the end of an era for one of its most recognizable figures.
There is no indication that Nordqvist plans to return to competitive play after this season. Her statements suggest a firm commitment to prioritizing personal well-being over professional obligations. The retirement announcement provides clarity on her immediate future, even as long-term plans remain undefined. For fans and followers of the LPGA Tour, her departure signifies the loss of a veteran presence who has contributed to the sport's growth and visibility over many years.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Three-time major winner Nordqvist announces retirement
