Retirement Wave Hits LPGA as Stars Seek Life Beyond Golf

Orlando, Florida – In a surprising turn of events, several LPGA Tour stars have decided to retire or step back from professional golf. Brittany Lincicome, an eight-time LPGA Tour winner, experienced an epiphany while volunteering at her daughter’s school. The 39-year-old found joy in helping children rather than on the golf course, leading her to announce her retirement.

“That’s the moment I had been looking for, and I was like, okay, I’m retiring. I’m done,” Lincicome said. With this shift, she joins a notable list of female golfers, including Ally Ewing, Gerina Mendoza, and So Yeon Ryu, all of whom have exited the sport recently.

In total, thirteen players retired from full-time play in 2024, with six aged 34 or younger. Retirement often signifies a transition into parenthood or a quest for personal fulfillment. While the LPGA has increased purses significantly—growing from $73 million in 2021 to $131 million in 2025—many of these talented athletes are choosing to leave early.

“For myself and my generation, somebody playing for 20 years is a thing of the past,” Lincicome explained. As a mother of two, she utilized the LPGA’s mobile Child Development Center, which provides childcare on tour.

Ally Ewing, 32, had a stellar season in 2024 but decided to retire to embrace family life. After adopting a dog and announcing her pregnancy, she reflected on her choices. “Knowing it was temporary and preparing for this new phase made it easier to sacrifice years of travel,” Ewing stated.

In contrast, male golfers like Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler tend to maintain their careers, often thanks to a supportive environment that includes lucrative late-career opportunities such as the PGA Tour Champions.

Female athletes like Michelle Wie West recognize different pressures in women’s sports. She explained, “We have a biological clock, and there are things we need to consider. It was not sustainable for me to play into my 50s and 60s.”

As younger golfers like Lexi Thompson, who at 30 also stepped back, reflect on their careers, they acknowledge the unique challenges faced by women in the sport. “It’s time to be able to go to bed at night and not worry about how I’m going to perform,” Thompson said.

Even Lorena Ochoa, who retired unexpectedly at 28, has no regrets. Now active in her foundation, she encourages others to explore life beyond the sport, emphasizing that significant growth can occur outside of golf. “I made the right decision. You have to take a leap of faith,” Ochoa shared.