WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Olympic champion and Women’s Open winner Lydia Ko says recent success hasn’t changed her mind about quitting professional golf before she turns 30.
The 27-year-old Ko told Radio New Zealand that his victories in Paris and St. Andrews will not be affected by his long-held plan to continue to pursue other interests.
“I know I’ve never actually played past 30,” said the New Zealander. “What happened in the last few weeks doesn’t change my timeline. … I want to leave the game while I’m still playing well.”
However, the South Korean-born Kiwi said he would consult with his family before reaching any final decision.
Newly married, Ko said golf is no longer the only thing in his life. She also noted that she is “a dog’s mother.”
“Knowing that golf doesn’t finish me,” he said, “golf, it’s a part of me, but it’s not completely me.”
In January 2012, at the age of 14, Ko then became the youngest male or female player to win a professional tournament when she won the women’s New South Wales Open in Australia.
Last year was one of the toughest in professional golf — she didn’t win any LPGA tournaments and didn’t qualify, though she did win the prestigious Saudi Ladies International and the mixed teams Grant Thornton Invitational and Australian Jason Day.
His Olympic success after previously winning silver and bronze medals marked the end of a difficult period, which he had endured peacefully.
“I’m definitely the type where I stay with my feelings and all that and I don’t talk too much … I was going through it,” Ko said. “But my family has been helping me, especially my sister.”
Source link
