Anna Nordqvist met her ex-husband, Kevin McAlpine, in 2017 when the former professional golfer was caddying for 11-time LPGA Tour winner Lexi Thompson. Nordqvist hit it off with McAlpine quite naturally, and the two soon started dating. After five years of courting and their marriage being delayed from 2021, the pair tied the knot in August 2022 in the countryside of Scotland.

However, a year later in 2023, it was reported that the two had parted ways and were going through divorce proceedings. Two months after her relationship broke off, the Swedish pro was still riding high on the 5th Solheim Cup win she achieved with Team Europe. Then, Nordqvist was hit with another tragic piece of news. While playing the BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea, the 3-time major winner was informed that her estranged husband, whom she had not yet divorced, had suddenly passed away at the age of 39. Nordqvist withdrew from the event and traveled to America to pay her last respects.

But what happened to McAlpine? In an interview with The Courier, the caddie’s father, Hamish McAlpine, said that his son had been unwell for some time, but they believed he was recovering and were unaware of what exactly transpired. However, the news of his passing shook them to the core, and they were awaiting the autopsy results to reveal the cause. The family requested privacy and chose not to disclose why McAlpine passed away so suddenly.

Next month, it will be a year since McAlpine left the world, and it will surely be hard for Nordqvist on the death anniversary of her ex-husband as she relives all the ups and downs they experienced together. His death left Nordqvist lost for words and heartbroken.

Even after separation, Anna Nordqvist pens heartfelt confession for McAlpine

Life was already becoming tough for Anna Nordqvist both on and off the course. Professionally, she was trying to secure more victories, as her last one on the LPGA Tour came in 2017, and on the Ladies European Tour, not since July 2022. Off the greens, the Swedish pro was going through a difficult mental health phase when the news of Kevin McAlpine’s death struck her.

The 3-time major winner was truly devastated and shocked. After hearing the news, Nordqvist wrote an emotional note on her Instagram, featuring a photo of McAlpine and her dog. The 37-year-old conveyed that she was struggling to find words to express her emotions but urged everyone to live life to the fullest. She added that she was only human, despite people’s assertions that she was strong. Nordqvist wrote, “This year has been very hard, devastating, and overwhelming,” as her divorce and McAlpine’s death occurred within just a three-month span.

She showed her utmost respect for McAlpine and asked for privacy during that difficult time. Soon after, Nordqvist teed up again, revealing that she was trying to be a fighter and would come out of this storm stronger than ever. Thankfully, she did, as she started the 2024 season with renewed energy. Although a win has yet to be achieved, Anna Nordqvist seems grateful for how life has been progressing.