There was no new major title in Evian for the 39-year-old, but it was probably her best result since she won the competition nine years ago.
When she rolled in a birdie on the final hole, her fifth of the day, she clenched her fist in a small victory gesture.
"I've been waiting for this. I've worked so hard the last few years, but I haven't gotten anything out of it," Nordqvist said in Viaplay's broadcast after the bogey-free round.
Nordqvist finished tied for seventh, her first top-10 result in three years.
Just feeling like myself again, and putting it all together in a whole competition. I've been playing so well ever since Thursday. I'm so proud of myself.
Anna Nordqvist is captaining Europe in the Solheim Cup in September. When asked if she should not put herself on the European team, she replied:
There are actually some players who have said that I should take myself out. But I haven't even considered the idea. I am very proud to be captain and that is the role I intend to take.
Maja Stark was tied for tenth at –11, Kajsa Arwefjäll tied for 41st place at –4 and Linn Grant was tied for 61st at +2.
The victory went to South Korean Ryu Hae-Ran, who won after a playoff against Canadian Brooke M. Henderson. It is Ryu's second straight major title after also winning the LPGA Championship two weeks ago.
