The retirement news is the most heartbreaking for fans and the entire golf community. Last year, 13 professionals retired from the LPGA Tour. Among them was part-time member Lexi Thompson, whose presence sparked hope that some retirees might return to the course. However, with each passing year, this topic is shaking the golf world. Lydia Ko, too, joined the retirement song, catching everyone off guard. The countdown for her has already begun as she shared about her plans of stepping away from the sport by the age of 30.
As she turned 28 on April 24, 2025, the golf world’s worry about witnessing her exceptional performance for only two more years isn’t digestible. Away from the time left, what will stay in her mind are the memories of her 14-year-long profession. Lydia Ko has won 23 PGA Tour titles, including 3 majors. But the journey hasn’t been a smooth sail. Recently, she joined an interview with GOLF.COM, sharing some of these.
Recalling the first low moment with golf, she went 16 years back in memory lane, sharing, “I had to play 36 holes or something on my birthday for the New Zealand Stroke Play, and I shot, like, 79-79. I was like, I suck! I hate golf! I hate me! I remember eating dinner — Korean black bean noodles — and just crying.” With the memory of missing her birthday, she has now realized how grueling the sport is. Irrespective of the occasion or age, it requires utter dedication. She even shared how “Golf was such a huge part of me.” She took everything personally, even the bad performance.
Well, not just this, but Ko also brings back memories from her worst point in her career. After winning multiple titles in 2022, who expected the golfer to hit rock bottom? But that was the reality for her. Speaking for that, she said, “I didn’t think I was gonna have my worst career in a year.” After three victories and multiple top-10 finishes, the golfer in 2023 had only two top-10 finishes while missing the cut in many. The sudden drop left her shocked. In particular, the thing that struck her was missing the cut for the first time at the Chevron Championship.
For which she said, “I all of a sudden lost a sense of direction, and now I was questioning my ball striking a lot, that puts stress on the short game, and when things are stressed, last time I checked it doesn’t go the way that you are anticipating.” That was the case with Kiwi as she recorded four missed cuts along with 13 below top-30 finishes. The sudden drop shook the entire golf community, but not for long, as she started her redemption path in 2024.
Lydia Ko on her comeback
“I was just really proud of the way I have overcome my own demons.” The New Zealand golfer shared while talking about her comeback in 2024. The golfer who has been consistent with her victories saw not just a winless year, but also suffered a huge setback with her performance. However, it wasn’t for long as she got back with her first appearance itself.
At the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, she started the season with a win. Continuing that, she won four events, including the Olympics as well. Sharing about her mantra, she said, “To kind of overcome the self-doubts, it doesn’t matter what you write about me or what my next-door neighbour says about me. Even if they’re bad, if I don’t think about it, then it’s really irrelevant in ways .” The significant move to undermine the insignificant has helped the golfer in returning to become an LPGA Hall of Famer.
Despite the struggle, Ko has managed to find her path back to great performance and fulfill the expectations of the fans. Earlier this year, she admitted to embracing a dynamic 2025 LPGA season (shifting gears from her initial plan of a lighter schedule). She now anticipates participating in approximately 22 to 23 events, a proper increase from her original estimate of 10 to 15. Now, only her career grand slam achievement is left. Will she be able to win the U.S. Women’s Open and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship? What are your thoughts? Share with us in the comments below!
The post Nearing Retirement, Lydia Ko Reveals Her ‘Worst Career’ Days That Put Her Under Stress Like Never Before appeared first on EssentiallySports.
