Retirement and Solheim Cup Captaincy
Three-time major champion Anna Nordqvist announces her retirement from professional golf.
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Key Points
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Nordqvist underwent surgery in 2024 to remove benign cysts from her stomach, and she has faced a personal loss with her husband Kevin McAlpine dying suddenly at age 39 after the couple announced they were divorcing.
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Her 2017 Evian Championship major title was earned in a dramatic playoff against Brittany Altomare in driving rain and hail.
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Nordqvist is the second player to win the British Girls' Championship, British Amateur, and British Open, following Georgia Hall.
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She became the first sitting Solheim Cup captain to crack the top 10 of a major in a Solheim Cup year, underscoring her continued high-level form even as she prepared to retire from playing.
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Nordqvist’s near-miss at the 2016 U.S. Women’s Open—losing in a playoff after a controversial penalty that contributed to a later rules change—highlights a pivotal moment in her major-level career outside the wins listed in the summary.
Anna Nordqvist, a three-time major champion, announced her retirement from professional golf this week. The FM Championship in Boston will be her final event as a player The Olympian. She will captain Europe at the 2026 Solheim Cup in the Netherlands, shifting from competing to leading.
Nordqvist cited health and family reasons for stepping back. She earned $14 million over her career, with nine LPGA wins and five LET titles News Observer. Personal struggles in late 2024, including surgery and loss, influenced her decision to focus on well-being.
A Champion's Three Major Titles Across Two Decades
Nordqvist won her first major in 2009, capturing the McDonald's LPGA Championship. She claimed her second major in 2017 at the Amundi Evian Championship, defeating Brittany Altomare in a playoff through driving rain and hail Myrtle Beach Online. Her third came in 2021 with the AIG Women's British Open, cementing her place among golf's elite.
Nearly a Decade Leading Europe in Solheim Cup Play
Nordqvist represented Europe in nine Solheim Cups, posting a 17-15-3 record in team competition Ledger-Enquirer. She became the first sitting Solheim Cup captain to crack the top 10 of a major during a Solheim Cup year, showcasing her high-level form even as retirement approached Sun Herald. Her playing record and experience made her a natural choice to lead Europe's 2026 team.
Health Struggles and Personal Loss Drive Retirement Decision
Nordqvist underwent surgery in late 2024 to remove benign cysts from her stomach. Beyond physical health, she faced personal hardship when her husband Kevin McAlpine died suddenly at age 39 after the couple announced they were divorcing News Observer. These events prompted her to prioritize well-being and family over competitive golf.
From Boston to the Netherlands: Final Competition, Then Leadership
The FM Championship outside Boston this week marks Nordqvist's final event as a player The Olympian. After the season closes, she will shift focus entirely to preparing for her captaincy at the 2026 Solheim Cup in Bernardus Golf Club. This transition lets her guide the next generation of European golfers without the demands of competing herself.
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