Sorenstam to 'step away' at end of '08

"After some serious consideration, I have made a decision to step away from competitive golf after this season," said the 37-year-old Sorenstam. "This is obviously a difficult decision for me to make since I love this game very much. But, I know it's the right one.

The Swede has 88 wins worldwide including 10 major championships -- winning the U.S. Women's Open, LPGA Championship and Kraft Nabisco Championship three times each. Sorenstam is just 16 wins shy of the all-time LPGA Tour record and five short of the record for major titles.

"To beat 88 wins is a huge achievement. I feel like I've achieved more than I ever thought I could, but to beat Kathy Whitworth's record (88 wins), does not motivate me," Sorenstam allowed. "I am very happy in my life and content with what I've achieved. I'm content and it just feels right."

Sorenstam made the announcement at the site of this week's event, the Sybase Classic. The announcement came as a surprise as the eight-time LPGA Tour Player of the Year is coming off her 72nd LPGA Tour win last week at the Michelob Ultra Open.

"There is plenty of golf to be played. I have another seven months left and my goal is to win tournaments, many tournaments, and majors," admitted Sorenstam.

Sorenstam, who joked she doesn't like that 'r' word (retirement), said now was the right time to make this announcement with the LPGA in very good hands with some great talent and a commissioner (Carolyn Bivens) that really cares.

"I feel like I have a responsibility to the LPGA, to my fans and I wanted to announce it as early as I could," stated Sorenstam. "The reason for this decision is that I have other priorities in my life. I have a lot of dreams I want to follow and live."

The Swede talked about her upcoming wedding in January as well as her wanting to continue to build her Annika brand of businesses, including her Annika Academy, her foundation, a golf course design project and her corporate relationships, hosting golf tournaments and her clothing line.

"While I am stepping away from competition, I will be very engaged and very involved in the game of golf, but in a different way," Sorenstam explained. "I want to make sure I give back to the game that has been great to me, by helping and inspiring young kids to develop and reach their dreams. I know I can do that with the growth of my academy and foundation."

A back injury last year limited Sorenstam to just 13 LPGA Tour events and she failed to win a tournament for the first time since her rookie campaign of 1994. She did, however, win a Ladies European Tour event.

The six-time Vare Trophy winner has won three times in eight starts this year and is second on the 2008 money list behind Lorena Ochoa.

"I've come back from an injury and I feel strong and healthy," she admitted. "The season has started out really well and I'm leaving the game on my terms. The injury made me appreciate what I've achieved and made me appreciate the game. I wanted to leave on my terms, when it felt right."

In 2003, Sorenstam qualified for the LPGA Hall of Fame and the same year became just the sixth player in tour history to complete a career Grand Slam when she captured the Women's British Open.

Sorenstam also made history in May of 2003 when she became the first woman since 1945 to compete on the PGA Tour at the Colonial. She missed the cut, but garnered worldwide media attention in the process.

"I have several things that make me proud, but overall just the consistency, playing every year and being in contention and to be Player of the Year eight times is something I'm very proud of," stated Sorenstam when asked about her accomplishments.

"To single a few things out, to shoot 59, my performance at Colonial, winning 10 majors, including three U.S. Women's Open. I'm just thankful for a lot of things."

Last week's victory at Kingsmill made Sorenstam the first player in LPGA history to surpass $22 million in career earnings. She shares the LPGA mark of eight single-season money titles and has also been a part of eight Solheim Cup teams.

Sorenstam's final event on the LPGA Tour this season will be at the ADT Championship in November. Her final worldwide event in 2008 will be at the Dubai Ladies Masters, where she will defend her title.

"If it's forever, I'm not really sure, but its definitely for now," she said.