Former LPGA No.1 Miyazato set to 'retire'

Ai Miyazato, Japan's former world No.1 women's golfer, is set retire at the end of the season.

Ai Miyazato, Japan's former world No.1 women's golfer, is set retire at the end of the season. (AAP)

Japanese former world No.1 women's golfer Ai Miyazato will retire at the end of the season, the Kyodo news agency reported on Friday.

The 31-year-old nine-time winner on the LPGA Tour would announce the decision on Monday at a media conference, Kyodo added, quoting her management.

Okinawa-born Miyazato won five titles in her rookie season on the domestic tour in 2004 before joining the North America-based circuit two years later on a full-time basis.

She lifted her first LPGA title at the 2009 Evian Masters in France and rose to No.1 the following year in the world rankings.

Miyazato secured 10 top-10 finishes in major tournaments without winning one and claimed the last of her 25 professional victories at the 2012 NW Arkansas Championship.