Annika Announces Retirement

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Thursday, May 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Annika Sorenstam announces retirement

After a brilliant 15-year professional career that saw her re-write the record book in women’s golf, Annika Sorenstam announced today that she will be stepping away from competitive play at the conclusion of the 2008 LPGA season.

Annika, who will turn 38 in October, will continue to play a full LPGA schedule through the remainder of 2008, finishing with the season-ending Lexus Cup.

“I have made a decision to step away from competitive golf after this season,” she said at the Sybase Classic. “Obviously this was a very difficult decision for me to make because I love this game so much. But it’s the right one. I made this decision because I have a number of other priorities in my life, including starting a family, that I want to be as dedicated to as I have been to playing golf and it was always important to me to go out on my own terms.”

Tiger Woods called Sorenstam “the greatest female golfer of all time” and said it was sad to see her walk away from the game.

“It has been a pleasure watching Annika play for all of these years, but even more of an honor to call her a friend,” he said.

idely regarded as the most dominant player in LPGA history, Annika raised the profile of women’s golf to an unprecedented level while compiling a list of records and accomplishments that are second to none. After turning professional in 1992, and beginning play on the LPGA Tour in 1994, Annika has recorded 88 career wins (72 on the LPGA), including 10 major championships; earned a record eight Rolex Player of the Year awards; a record-tying eight money list titles; six Vare Trophies for the lowest scoring average; was named Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year eight times, and became the first player in LPGA history to cross the $22 million mark in earnings. She has participated on eight Solheim Cup teams and was inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame in 2003.

The decision comes two days after Sorenstam won the Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill by seven shots for her third victory of the season, and first against a field that included Lorena Ochoa.

Annika is planning a January wedding, and wants to spend more time concentrating on home life and starting a family.

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