A majestic era in the history of women’s golf will come to a close at the end of the week when Sweden’s Annika Sorenstam completes her final LPGA Tour tournament.
Sorenstam, who has dominated women’s golf over the past 10 years, is to make her farewell appearance on the Tour at the ADT Championship in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The 37-year-old will still be playing two more events before the year is up, the Lexus Cup in Singapore and December’s Dubai Ladies Masters. But as far as her bread and butter days on the LPGA Tour goes, that would be it.
Sorenstam turned pro in 1994 and has since racked up 10 major victories and consistently finished on top of the world rankings.
She had to curtail her appearances in 2007 because of injury and, earlier this year, announced that she would be retiring from professional golf.
The ADT Championship has special meaning for Sorenstam because she won it four times. As she said in a Reuters article, she cannot predict her emotions when she signs her card for the last time.
“I’m not really sure how I’ll feel or what the emotions will be. It’s been very different since I announced my stepping away. I’ve not played as well and I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been busy getting involved with tournaments, saying goodbye and engaging with fans and sponsors or unconsciously knowing I’ve made the decision and I’m having a hard time focusing.â€
Sorenstam, who won three times this season, said she wants to start a family and embark on business plans such as a golf academy in Florida, course design and charities.