Lydia Ko has never been just a golfer. The New Zealand prodigy turned professional at 16, won an LPGA event before she could legally drive, and by 21, had already notched two major titles, 14 LPGA wins, and the world No. 1 ranking. In 2024, she made history once again, clinching the LPGA Drive On Championship and the HSBC Women’s World Championship, along with an Olympic gold medal, en route to becoming the youngest-ever inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame.
But while her swing has earned her a place among golf’s elite, Ko has always had her sights set beyond the course. “I’m fascinated by social psychology, which centers around why people behave a particular way in a set environment,” Ko once said—a reflection of a long-standing academic interest that’s quietly shaped her perspective. In 2015, even at the height of her early stardom, Ko enrolled in psychology courses at Korea University in Seoul. She studied extramurally to accommodate the global grind of the LPGA Tour, signaling even then that her ambitions extended far beyond birdies and trophies.
Now, with more than a decade on tour and a résumé few could rival, Ko is beginning to speak more openly about her next chapter, and finishing that psychology degree could be the centerpiece. For one of the game’s most thoughtful champions, life after golf might be her most intriguing challenge yet.
In a recent interview with GOLF.com, Ko offered rare insight into that transition. “I’m excited for what’s ahead,” she said. “But before I retire, I do want to plan what I want to do after retirement—whether it’s travel for six months, or go—one of my big things is to, um, start studying again, finish my psychology degree.” This echoed a sentiment she’s voiced for a decade now: that education and curiosity are central to her identity. Ko understands the challenges of elite sports, but she’s also acutely aware of what comes next. “I want to kind of have all those things lined up before I retire,” she added, “because I don’t want to get into that moment of an identity crisis, to be honest.”
It’s a strikingly honest reflection from someone who has spent much of her life in the spotlight. Ko isn’t rushing out of the game. Far from it. But her measured outlook reveals an athlete preparing for reinvention on her own terms. “Yeah, I mean, golf is a huge part of my life,” Ko continued. “So, like, you know, it’s different to have a three-week off-season. It’s like a moment that I’m not going to really relive again.” That fleeting nature of time, of athletic prime, isn’t lost on her.
Meet the faces of the LPGA.
The first women’s major of the year has arrived and to celebrate we are taking a deep dive into the stars that fuel the @LPGA with the May edition of GOLF Magazine – including an in depth feature with Lydia Ko. pic.twitter.com/KpCv0ZkH8B
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) April 23, 2025
And then came the statement that summed it all up: “I’m excited. I’m excited to see how far I take my life outside of just being a golfer.” There you have it, from the mouth of one of the game’s brightest stars. Lydia Ko isn’t just preparing to leave the fairways, she’s gearing up to reinvent herself entirely. And honestly? That might be her most impressive journey yet.
What’s next for Lydia Ko in 2025?
Even though Lydia Ko didn’t factor into contention at the 2025 Chevron Championship—finishing T52 at +5—it’s far from a setback for the New Zealander. Her next LPGA Tour appearances are already locked in: the Black Desert Championship (May 1–4) in Utah and the Mizuho Americas Open (May 8–11) at Liberty National in New Jersey. While Chevron didn’t go her way, Ko’s 2025 season remains elite by any standard. With victories at the LPGA Drive On Championship and the HSBC Women’s World Championship already under her belt—and a T6 finish at the Arizona Championship—she’s made it clear she’s not winding down quietly. That consistency has kept her firmly in the global spotlight: Ko currently holds the No. 3 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
But perhaps what’s most compelling is how Ko is preparing for what comes next. With whispers of retirement within the next few seasons, she’s been candid about seeking balance and purpose beyond golf. Whether it’s traveling the world, embracing married life with husband Jun Chung, or returning to academia to complete her psychology degree, Ko’s next chapter is unfolding with the same thoughtful precision that’s marked her career. True to form, Lydia Ko is doing it her way—gracefully, deliberately, and still winning.
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