Lotta Wahlin

Multiple tournament champion Lotta Wahlin has announced that this week’s Raiffeisenbank Prague Golf Masters will be her last event on the Ladies European Tour.

The 28-year-old from Sweden is hanging up her golf shoes after a seven-year career which saw her collect three titles.

The year 2008 was her most successful, when she memorably won the Garanti American Express Turkish Ladies Open by 12 shots, followed by the S4C Wales Ladies Championship in a play-off as well as the Catalonia Ladies Masters in Spain, which was unofficial.   

Now in her eighth season on tour, Lotta made the decision after the UniCredit Ladies German Open presented by Audi and she explained:  “I hadn’t really thought about it before, because before, I was focusing on the golf and I hadn’t thought about anything else but then a few weeks ago I started to think about it and I knew at that moment that it was right.

“I know it’s the right decision but of course it is a little bit of a weird feeling as well, to know that some of the players I’m never going to see again.

“I came to this point where I would prefer to be home more and the things back home, I appreciate them more than playing. I’m tired of travelling and I don’t really enjoy it anymore. I reached all my goals and I’m really happy with what I’ve done here.”

Lotta finished seventh on the Money List in 2008 and she recalled the highlights of her career.

“Turkey was the first one so that was very special. Spain was also, even if it was unofficial, to see my name on the leader board was fantastic. Wales was special as well because it was a play-off so that was definitely my best year.

“Since then I’ve been struggling a bit but I’ve enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. I love this life. It’s the best life you can have, but now I feel I’m done and ready to do something else.

“I want to study something and work somewhere there is no pressure, sell some clothes or something. I think I will study something this fall. I’m not sure what yet.

“I’m still going to play in charity games at home but I’m not going to practice that much. I feel I have so many opportunities now.

“It is sad and I’m sure it’s going to be difficult on the last days here but I’ll have to try not to think too much about it.”

To keep in touch with Lotta, you can visit her website: www.lottawahlin.com, her blog : http://lottawahlin.blogspot.com/ or follow her on Twitter: @lottawahlin.