Lydia Ko reflects on her retirement after becoming a Hall of Famer: “I have not yet set a date for the end”

Lydia Ko has earned her place among the elite. Now, at just 27, the New Zealander is already contemplating what many might consider an early retirement. Fresh off her gold medal win at the Paris Olympic Games, Ko’s future is not just about adding more trophies to her cabinet.

During a press conference at the Women’s Scottish Open, Lydia Ko opened up about her thoughts on stepping away from professional golf while she’s still at the peak of her career.

Lydia Ko, who has achieved immense success on the LPGA Tour, including two major championships and three Olympic medals, has admitted that the idea of retiring has been on her mind. Despite her impressive resume, Ko seems to be leaning towards ending her career sooner rather than later:

“I want to finish this year first, and then think about it all again,” she said.

But the big question remains: will Lydia Ko say goodbye to professional golf sooner than expected?

Reflecting on Lydia Ko’s Remarkable Career

Lydia Ko’s thoughts on retirement may come as a surprise to some, given her recent achievements. After claiming the gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games, Ko has once again proven her prowess on the global stage.

The win completed her personal Olympic medal slam, having won silver in Rio in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo in 2021. Her latest triumph has also opened the doors to the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Currently, Lydia Ko is competing at the Women’s Scottish Open, preparing for the season’s final major tournament, the Women’s Open at St Andrews. Despite her thoughts on retirement, Ko remains focused on the immediate challenges ahead:

“This year probably won’t be my last year of competition,” she mentioned, hinting that while retirement is on her mind, it’s not an imminent decision.

Lydia Ko’s performance this season has been nothing short of stellar. In addition to her Olympic gold, she secured wins at the Chevron Championship and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, further solidifying her status as a dominant force on the LPGA Tour.

However, Ko’s reflections on her career reveal a deeper contemplation about her future in the sport.

During her interview at the Women’s Scottish Open, Lydia Ko spoke candidly about the possibility of retiring early.

“I’ve always said 30, but I said 30 ten years ago, and I don’t even know why I said 30 then,” Ko shared with a hint of humor.

Yet, behind the laughter lies a genuine consideration of what comes next for the golf superstar.

Lydia Ko explained that her thoughts on retirement fluctuate depending on her day-to-day experiences:

“I have bad days and good days, and on the bad days, I want to stop. On the good days, you feel like you could do this forever, and that this moment will last forever,” she said.

This internal dialogue reflects the challenges that many athletes face as they weigh the decision to continue or step away from their sport.

Despite the uncertainty, Lydia Ko has not set a specific date for her retirement:

“Even if I had to stop today, I am obviously very grateful for everything that has happened in my career so far, but I have not yet set a date for the end of my career,” she emphasized.

For now, Ko is focused on finishing the season strong, with the Women’s Open at St Andrews being a significant milestone on her journey.

Lydia Ko’s remarks also shed light on her motivations moving forward. She expressed a desire to retire on a high note, still loving the game and performing well:

“As long as I’m playing competitively, I want to win as much as I can and compete at the highest level. I want to retire still loving the game and still playing well, not because I feel I can’t compete anymore,” Ko stated.

Lydia Ko’s future, both on and off the course, remains uncertain. While she is not rushing into retirement, the thought of ending her career while she is still at the top of her game is clearly on her mind. Ko’s reflections come at a time when she is enjoying tremendous success, but they also signal a desire to leave the sport on her own terms.

As for what lies ahead, Ko has hinted at a potential second career in psychology, a field she has studied and is passionate about. Whether or not she pursues this path after golf remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Lydia Ko will continue to make an impact, whether on the greens or beyond.

For now, fans of Lydia Ko can look forward to seeing her compete at the Women’s Open and other events in the near future. But with retirement on the horizon, every tournament could be one of her last. As Ko herself put it, “For now, I just want to enjoy this moment.”