Meg Mallon Retires

Four-time major champion Meg Mallon has retired from golf. Mallon withdrew from this week's U.S. Women's Open and announced her retirement on Wednesday.

Though healthy and playing well, Mallon said she no longer has the desire to compete. Mallon told Golfweek's Beth Ann Baldry that she made the decision during the LPGA Championship when she was paired with Angela Stanford and Karrie Webb during the first two rounds.

"They were getting mad (over poor shots), and I was getting mad that I wasn't getting mad," said Mallon, whose final tournament came in last week's Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic. "I didn't want it to be a sad thing," said Mallon, who added she didn't want to become a "ceremonial golfer."

The 47-year-old leaves the game with 18 career victories, including four majors, and career earnings of $9,044,059. She has played in 23 U.S. Women's Opens, winning in 1991 (Colonial Country Club) and 2004 (Orchards Golf Club). Her final-round 6-under 65 at the Orchards is the lowest closing round in the championship's history.

"I played for the fun of having my family and friends along for the ride," said Mallon, an eight-time Solheim Cup player who served as an assistant captain for Beth Daniel in 2009 and may captain her own team in the future.

Pat Hurst said of Mallon's departure: "We'll miss her. She was a great asset to this tour."

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