The golfing world is buzzing with the AIG Women’s Open underway, but Lydia Ko’s retirement rumors are still stealing the spotlight. Despite her previous ‘I’m not done yet’ vibes, Ko’s found herself at the center of speculation once again. But here’s the thing – a new development has shifted her perspective, and she’s sharing some surprising thoughts on her career.
At the AIG Women’s Open, Ko was asked about her exit strategy: a dramatic “walk-off” like Suzann Pettersen’s infamous goodbye. To which she said, “It’s exciting what’s ahead. In ways it can be scary because I’ve played golf since I was five and this is — this is my life whether I like it or not and golf has given me so much for me to be thankful for on and off the golf course.”
The LPGA Hall of Famer golfer added, ”Still I’ve always said that while I’m competitively playing, I want to play at the highest level I possibly can and continuously work hard with my team to become a better, more consistent player. So that’s the goal right now.” She iterated that her focus is on continuous improvement and wants to maximize her potential while she’s still actively competing in golf.
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A decade ago, Ko had envisioned a different future where she’d retire from golf by 30. But life had other plans. She reached the pinnacle of golf at the Paris Olympics, where she made history with a thrilling gold medal win. The 27-year-old’s name was on everyone’s lips as she topped the women’s Olympics list and enlisted her name in the LPGA Hall of Fame. And in a remarkable twist, Ko now boasts an impressive collection of three Olympic medals, each a different color.
However, after her gold medal win, everyone thought Lydia Ko would hang her clubs. But she made it clear that her passion for the game had won out. At the ISPS HANDA Women’s Open, she said, “As long as I’m competitively playing, I want to win as much as I can and compete at the highest level, and I want to retire, still loving the game and still playing well, not because I feel I can’t compete anymore.”
Now, as Ko embarks on a new chapter, let’s delve into the success path that’s paved her with glory.
Lydia Ko’s remarkable journey with highs and lows
Lydia Ko’s name is synonymous with trailblazing achievements. She is the youngest ever to win on the LPGA Tour, the youngest to claim a women’s major, and the youngest to reach world No. 1. Her accolades are a testament to her unwavering dedication to the sport she loves the most.
But beneath the surface of her remarkable success lies a more relatable story of struggle, self-doubt, and perseverance. Ko admits to having days where quitting seemed like the easiest option. “I have bad days and good days, and on bad days, I want to quit that day. And good days, you feel like you could go and do this forever, and it feels like that moment is going to last forever.” But in those moments, her true strength shone through.
