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Sorenstam to quit golf at end of season

14/05/2008

Former world number one Annika Sorenstam has announced her decision to retire from professional golf at the end of the season.

The 37-year-old, who has won ten major tournaments and 90 titles overall in a star-studded career, wants to start a family with her fiancé, Mike McGee, with whom Sorenstam owns a golf course design company.

She also expressed her desire to focus on her business interests once she gives up the tour.

An emotional Sorenstam told a press conference: "Because I love the game so much this is obviously a hard decision, but it feels like the right one.

"I am leaving on my own terms and I am very proud of my accomplishments - I didn't want this decision to be forced upon me by injury."

Speaking about her hopes for life after professional competition, Sorenstam said she "will continue to be very involved" in the golf scene through her business and wanted to make the most of the time she has left on the tour.

"I have given it my all, and it's been fun," the Swede continued.

"I am going to focus on my game for the next seven months.

"I'm a huge competitor and right now I'm second on the money list, and people that know me, know I don't settle for second.

"But after that I will have different priorities in my life."

Sorenstam is arguably the most famous female golfer of all time, but she has recently struggled with form due to a series of injuries.

Last year she lost her place as the top women's golfer in the world to Mexico's Lorena Ochoa.

But she remains the LPGA's top money-earner of all time with a total career income of more than $22 million (£11.3 million).