Dame Lydia Ko signals retirement time frame from LPGA Tour

Monday, 23 March 2026

Lydia Ko shares her thoughts on joining New Zealand's exclusive group of Dames. She reflects on the honour of representing New Zealand, her admiration for fellow Dames, and her motivation to continue giving back.

Dame Lydia Ko appears to be sticking to her word - that she will retire at the age of 30.

In an interview with Golf Week ahead of the Founders Cup, the 28-year-old Kiwi said her career is unlikely to extend beyond the 2027 LPGA season.

Ko, who long ago signalled she would call it a day when she was 30, will reach the said age on April 24, 2027.

The LPGA Tour Hall of Famer will reportedly confirm her retirement date two months in advance, rather than before her final season.

“I personally don’t want a parade of retirement,” she told Golf Week.

“I’ve been able to excel at the highest level in my industry, which not everybody gets to do, 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 any more.”

After winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics and completing the set, Ko made it clear she would not return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Now in her 13th season, Ko has notched 23 career wins, including three majors.

Kiwi Lydia Ko holds her gold medal after securing victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

One goal she’s still eyeing after securing HOF status is a career grand slam, which she would achieve by winning either the US Open and/or Women’s PGA.

However, she’s also made it clear she will be at peace with her career if she doesn’t do so, and last month admitted golf was taking a toll on her.

“To be honest, now that I’ve been on tour for so long, my body, I know, is not the same as 10 years ago. So my recovery is not as fast as I think it should be. Sometimes I think the fatigue catches up to me more than where I am mentally. So, I’m just trying to have a good balance of that.”