Sorenstam to retire at end of this LPGA Tour season

Staff and wire reports

Annika Sorenstam, less than 48 hours removed from her record-setting victory in the Michelob Ultra Open in Williamsburg, has decided she's finished with golf after this season.

The Hall of Famer, owner of 72 tournament victories, called a news conference Tuesday at the Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J., and told reporters, "I think I've achieved more than I ever thought I could. I have given it all and it's been fun."

Though only 37, Sorenstam has hinted at retirement the past several seasons, saying she wanted to devote more time to her growing business and to start a family. She is engaged to Mike McGee, son of former PGA Tour player Jerry McGee. They plan to marry next year.

Rumors of her pending retirement arose during the weekend as Sorenstam ran away with the event at Kingsmill, setting the tournament record with a 19-under score.

Afterward, Sorenstam answered vaguely when asked by The Virginian-Pilot if she would be back next May to defend the title.

"I hope so," she said. "I'm going to continue this year the way I started it and, at the end of the year, I always assess it like I have the last few years. At this point, I feel great about what I'm doing."

Judy Rankin, a Hall of Famer and television analyst, said she wasn't surprised by the move.

"This would be very much like Annika to get on top and then quit," Rankin said.

Sorenstam said her final event would be the Dubai Ladies Masters after the LPGA Tour season ends.

"I'm leaving the game on my terms," she said.

Her seven-shot victory at Kingsmill was her third victory of the season and first against a field that included world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa.

It was a sign that Sorenstam had fully recovered from her injuries and was poised to make a bid at recapturing her stature as the best player in women's golf.

"It's sad to see the greatest female golfer of all time step away from the game," said Tiger Woods, who has played practice rounds with Sorenstam. "But it's nice to see Annika did it on her terms. It has been a pleasure watching Annika player for all of these years, but even more an honor to call her a friend."

Sorenstam dominated women's golf like few others, especially during a five-year period when she won 43 times and finished among the top three nearly 70 percent of the time. She is the only player in LPGA history to shoot 59 in a round and 1 of 6 to win the career Grand Slam on her way to 10 major championships.

She is not the first LPGA Tour star to retire early.

Mickey Wright, whom many regard as the best player in Tour history, stopped playing a full schedule when she was 34 and won the last of her 82 tournaments at age 37.