Sorenstam ends career ranked No. 3

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 24 (UPI) -- The hall of fame career of golfer Annika Sorenstam ends with her ranked No. 3 in the world.

Sorenstam missed the cut in last weekend's LPGA ADT Championship ending a career in which she won 10 major championships and more than $22 million. She announced in May that this would be her final year of competitive golf.

"Thanks for all the support throughout my career and especially the last few weeks," Sorenstam wrote on her Web site. "… The fans have been so involved and I am honored to have met many of you in person this week. It warms my heart that some of you came all the way to West Palm Beach to support me and witness my last competitive rounds on the LPGA Tour."

She had been ranked No. 1 since the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings were introduced in February 2006 until April 2007 when Lorena Ochoa took over the top spot. She's never been ranked lower than third.

Sorenstam was second last week but was passed by Yani Tseng by 0.1 of a rating point. Ochoa remained No. 1

After Sorenstam, the Top 10 remained the same, with Paula Creamer fourth and Suzann Pettersen fifth. ADT Championship winner Shin Ji-yai was sixth followed by, in order, Christie Kerr, Helen Alfredsson, Angels Stanford and Karrie Webb.

The 2009 LPGA schedule opens with the SBS Open Feb. 12-14 in Kahuku, Hawaii.