Europe’s Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist has announced her shock departure from professional golf after a career which has spanned almost two decades.The Swede, who is a three-time major winner, will play her final tournament this weekend at the FM Championship in Boston before retiring from the sport.The 39-year-old’s announcement comes two weeks out from captaining her first-ever Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands. Nordqvist featured in nine Solheim Cups as a player, winning four and retaining the trophy once. She was a playing vice-captain to Suzann Pettersen in 2023 and 2024.Her first major win came in her second year as a professional when she won the Women’s PGA Championship in 2009. Wins at the Evian Championship in 2017 and the Women’s British Open at Carnoustie in 2021 helped cement her golfing legacy.“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,” a statement shared by Nordqvist to social media read.“I am forever thankful for everything this game has given me and the people I have met along the way. 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.“l 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.”