Sorenstam Plans Retirement At Season's End

Clifton, N.J. (AHN) - Saying she wanted to leave the game on her terms, Annika Sorenstam, universally recognized as one of golf's greatest female players, announced Tuesday she is retiring at the end of the season.

The eight-time LPGA player of the year who has won 72 tournaments said the decision was one she had been "thinking about for a while."

"I have made a decision to step away from competitive golf after this season," the 37-year-old Swede said at a news conference, held at the site of this week's 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."

With her final event at the Dubai Ladies Masters after the LPGA Tour season ends, Sorenstam, the first woman golfer to compete against men in a major PGA tournament, noted, "I'm leaving the game on my 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, according to ESPN. "It has been a pleasure watching Annika play for all of these years, but even more of an honor to call her a friend."

According to ESPN, 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.

"I respect Annika for wanting to go out on top," LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens said. "I'm surprised with the timing, but it's the way she wants to do it."

Sorenstam became the first woman in 58 years to compete on the PGA Tour when she played at the Colonial in 2003. She missed the cut, but earned worldwide respect for the way she comported herself amid massive scrutiny, ESPN recalled on its Web site.