Annika Sorenstam, considered one of the greatest female golfers in history, said today she will retire at the end of the LPGA Tour season at the age of 37.

Sorenstam, who has hinted at retirement the past couple years, said in a conference call from the Sybase Classic in Clifton, N.J., that she wants to start a family and devote more time to her other outside activities, such as clothing and course design.

She is engaged to Mike McGee, son of former PGA Tour and Champions Tour player Jerry McGee, who lives in East Palestine, Ohio. The couple will be married in January.

Sorenstam's announcement comes two days after she won the Michelob Ultra Open in Kingsmill, Va. -- her 72nd career victory on the LPGA Tour.

"This is obviously a very difficult decision for me to make because I love this game so much," Sorenstam said. "But I know this is the right one."

Sorenstam had been the No. 1 player on the LPGA Tour for years until she was supplanted last year by Lorena Ochoa. She has been the leading money winner and player of the year eight times and won 10 major championships during her career on the LPGA Tour.

"I have other priorities in my life," Sorenstam said. "I have a lot of dreams I want to fulfill, I want to live. I am very proud of what I have achieved. Golf has been good to me. I have achieved more than I ever thought I would. It's been fun."