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Sweden’s Helen Alfredsson announced that she is retiring from professional golf during the prize giving ceremony for the Helsingborg Open.
After explaining her reasons in her native Swedish language, she received a standing ovation from the gallery seated in the grandstands around the 18th green on the Tournament Course at Vasatorps Golf Club.
An emotional Alfredsson said: “I’m 48 and I think that’s reason enough! Not everyone is an iron woman like Laura! I really want to just take it easy and I’m sick and tired of fighting. I love the girls but the travelling! I don’t want to travel, I don’t want to pack my bags and have the same clothes for weeks on end.
“I’m going to study sports psychology, I have my tournament for my mom who died of Alzheimer’s and then hopefully I’ll find something to do with this tournament where we have to promote it and hopefully get bigger money and a bigger event.”
The first Helsingborg Open was hailed a great success by players, spectators, organisers and the media alike. Alfredsson finished in a share of 48th place on nine-over-par after rounds of 71, 76, 73 and 77.
An Honorary Life Member of the LET, Alfredsson turned professional in 1989 and won her first tournament, the Women’s British Open, in 1990. She earned 21 career victories over her 25-year international career including the 1993 Nabisco Dinah Shore, a major championship and three Evian Masters titles in 1994, 1998 and 2008.
Alfredsson made eight appearances in The Solheim Cup as a player, most recently in 2009, after taking the role of European Team Captain in 2007. She was a member of two winning European teams, in 1992 and 2000.
