AP: Annika to Retire at End of Season

(Bumped up from diaries, for obvious reasons. And it's official.)

The Associated Press is reporting that Annika Sorenstam will retire from competitive play on the LPGA Tour at the conclusion of this season.

http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1739723,00.html

"Annika Sorenstam will retire after the season, ending an LPGA Tour career in which she has won 72 tournaments to date and delivered a defining moment when she teed it up against the men on the PGA Tour.

She was to announce her decision at a news conference Tuesday at the Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J., a person familiar with her plans told The Associated Press.

The 37-year-old 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."

It's difficult to imagine a more impressive career for any athlete in any sport. Five consecutive LPGA Player of the Year awards just about says it all.

Godspeed, Annika.