'My last dance'

Former world No 1 Feng Shanshan, a bronze medalist at the 2016 Olympics, announced her retirement from professional golf and the LPGA Tour yesterday.

"Now it is time for me to try something different," the Chinese trailblazer, who will turn 33 on Friday, wrote on Instagram.

"In recent years, the global pandemic has changed a lot of things, and has me reflecting. It is time to slow down a little, focus more on my personal growth, and spend some time with my family."

The announcement comes a year after her last competitive appearance, at the Tokyo Olympics last year, where Feng finished eighth and had strongly hinted she was about to retire. Five years earlier, she claimed Olympic bronze in Rio behind South Korea's Park In Bee and New Zealander Lydia Ko.

"Out of all my achievements, I would say a medal at the Olympics is very special ... It was the most memorable moment of my career," said Feng, whose only major win came at the 2012 US PGA Championship.

Guangdong-born Feng became the first Chinese player to earn an LPGA Tour card in 2007 at the age of 18.

She went on to become the first Chinese player, man or woman, to win a major and lifted 10 LPGA titles during her 14 years on the tour. In 2017, Feng became the only Chinese golfer to date to reach the world No 1 ranking.

It seems golf will remain a big part of Feng's life, even in retirement. Since December she has been helping to coach China's women's national team.

"I will be devoting my heart and sweat off the course in helping young talents grow," she wrote. "Golf has brought me everything. Maybe now is my chance to give back."

She also left the door open for a final appearance on the LPGA Tour to say goodbye, possibly when the elite women's circuit returns to Asia later in the year for events in South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

"Due to the pandemic, I have never made an official farewell to people who support me on the golf course," Feng said. "I hope to see all my LPGA friends again in the near future for my last dance."