Nordqvist to retire after FM Championship, will captain Europe in Solheim Cup
Anna Nordqvist will retire from professional golf after this week's FM Championship near Boston. The 39-year-old Swede has won three majors and will captain Europe in the Solheim Cup from 11-13 September. She has played in nine Solheim Cups and helped Europe win five times.
Nordqvist's final competitive round will come at the FM Championship, capping an 18-year career that produced nine LPGA Tour victories and five more on the Ladies European Tour, alongside career earnings of roughly $14.1 million. Her major wins spanned 2009 through 2021, and she remains competitive at the highest level, finishing tied for seventh at July's Evian Championship.
Her recent years have been marked by personal hardship. Her husband, Kevin McAlpine, died suddenly in 2023 at age 39 during their divorce proceedings, and she had a benign cyst removed from her stomach in summer 2024. She cited health and family priorities as reasons for stepping away, while transitioning to captaincy duties for September's Solheim Cup in the Netherlands.
Nordqvist's retirement may resonate beyond golf fans, as her longevity and resilience through personal tragedy could inspire athletes facing similar transitions. Her move to Solheim Cup captaincy may also shift the event's competitive dynamics, potentially influencing team morale and strategy. Younger European players may feel added motivation playing under a veteran of nine Cups, while her departure from the tour could open opportunities for emerging talent seeking tour cards and sponsorship visibility.