Annika Sorenstam, one of the greatest ever woman golfers, couldn’t quite produce the dream round on the day she took the final curtain call on her tournament career. 

After a closing 71, the Swede, who had been hoping for her 90th career title, tied for seventh place behind Germany’s Anja Monke at the Dubai Ladies’ Masters at the Emirates Club. 

While all the focus was on Sorenstam, Catriona Matthew, the only Scot to make the cut, shot one under par 71 and was joint 12th on five under par. 

Monke won on 13 under after a 68, three shots ahead of Italy’s Veronica Zorzi (69), while England’s Laura Davies was the top Briton, taking third place on nine under after a 69.

Sorenstam, the ten-time major champion, had won the title for the past two years, but a one under par 71 – which ended in style with an eight foot birdie putt at the 18th – was only good enough for a six under par total.

Next month, the 38-year-old will marry American Mike McGee and they are keen to start a family. She will also concentrate on her growing number of business interests, including global golf course design and her own ANNIKA Academy in Orlando in Florida. 

Sorenstam received a huge ovation from spectators and fellow players as she holed out at the last, and embraced her caddie of nine years, Terry McNamara. 

“It means a lot  when you get so much respect from other players,” she admitted.  “It breaks your heart. Today was very special.”