Three-time major golf champion announces decision to retire in two years at age 30

Lydia Ko has reiterated her plans to retire from golf before the end of 2027.

The world No.6 has no intention of playing beyond the age of 30 after over a decade at the top of the sport.

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Ko won the first of her three majors in 2015 aged just 18, making her the youngest woman to do so.

Meanwhile, she was the youngest winner of an LPGA Tour event after doing so as a 15-year-old.

Now aged 28, Ko plans to retire by the end of 2027, by which time she will be 30.

Ko’s retirement date

Speaking to Golfweek about her retirement plans, she explained: “I’ve been able to excel at the highest level in my industry.

“Not everybody gets to do that, and I did it for quite a long time and for different phases.

“I would hate to be at a point where I’m like, I don’t even want to see my golf clubs anymore.”

As for how she will bow out, Ko added: “I personally don’t want a parade of retirement.”

The New Zealander, who will turn 30 on April 24, 2027, has made no secret of her planned retirement date in the past.

After winning gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, she said: “I know for a fact I’m probably never playing past 30.

“What has happened in the last few weeks doesn’t change my timeline… I want to leave the game while I’m still playing well.”

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Ko went on to win the third major of her career at the Women’s British Open later that year.

It was a victory which ended an eight-year wait since she clinched the Chevron Championship in 2016.

The Seoul-born golfer had won the Evian Championship a year earlier but has yet to complete the career Grand Slam.

She came closest to winning both the Women’s PGA Championship and US Women’s Open in 2016, though.

Ko finished second and tied-third, respectively, at the two events that year.

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Her next, and potentially penultimate, chance to win them will come in June.

The US Women’s Open takes place at the Riviera Country Club in California between June 4 and 7.

It will be followed by the 72nd Women’s PGA Championship three weeks later.