Lydia Ko Issues Alarming Retirement Update Yet Again After Deciding to ‘Never Play’ Beyond Thirty
So, if you have been following Lydia Ko for a while, you probably know that her confidence plays a major role in her awesome gameplay. The young golfer had a moderate 2023 season, which damaged her confidence. She leveled up in late 2024, but the “Should I retire?” thoughts still crept in. Then she went off at the Olympics and AIG Women’s Open, pushing those doubts aside for now.
During an interview with Golf Monthly, Lydia Ko accepted that her poor form in 2023, “made me question my place in the game a bit.” A flat spot in 2024 was another dent in her confidence. Even her mom admits—15-year-old Lydia was better than she is now. Add to that her father’s remark that she was super competitive on the greens as a child. Suddenly, it sounds grave.
Recently, the 27-year-old golfer sat down for the press conference for the HSBC Women’s World Championship. And her retirement plans before 30? Still the same. When asked, Ko simply replied that she’s taking one day at a time. “My schedule has changed. I’ve gone from thinking I was going to play ten, 15 events this year to now playing over 20, and then also kind of reassessing during the middle of the season like where I am with my energy levels to me thinking, am I going to play more or less.”
“I think that’s a very down-the-road question, but 30 is a long way. It definitely doesn’t get any easier. It’s easier in the sense that I’ve come to these kind of golf courses and I kind of know what to expect, and I’m not like a rookie getting used to these types of tournaments and courses.” But at the end of the day, Lydia still wants to play the best golf while she can.
Think back to last year when discussing her peak performances, 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.” Interestingly, the former child prodigy admitted that she’s a huge fan of the legendary Mexican golfer, Lorena Ochoa, who also retired at 30.
Being a fan of Ochoa, Lydia had confessed, “Lorena Ochoa is somebody I really look up to. I always hoped that my career would be quite similar, and that I could do the same as her by retiring when I’m still playing well. I don’t know when that moment is right now, although I’ve always said that I can’t see myself playing after I’m 30.” So, will we get to see her play after 30? Very unlikely. Take for instance her admitting that when she got to spend three weeks in New Zealand last year, she felt so great and relaxed that she realized she wanted more of that. Its understandable that Lydia Ko needs her long-overdue break. So, aside the retirement plans, what does her 2025 season look like?
Lydia Ko and the 2025 season
Putting in the work and still not getting the results hits different. Lydia felt that heavy during her mid-2023 season. But was she alone during these tough times? No. Thankfully, she had her family.
“I started questioning, ‘Will I get in the H.O.F. or ever win again?’ My husband and mom said, ‘Is getting into the H.O.F. going to make your life different?’ What they said is true. I’m so grateful, but it doesn’t change anything. I still come back to the same home and have the same family who love me whether I’ve won 20 times or 21. But when you’re going through a lull, it’s hard to take advice.”
While that is true, Lydia Ko is looking for big moments this season. During the conference, Lydia admitted that she had doubts due to past struggles on links courses. Thankfully, she found motivation through her recent performances and is now focused on her future. “I’m just looking forward, and so the U.S. Women’s Open and the KPMG are probably the biggest stars on my schedule this year.”
