Lydia Ko once said she would retire by the time she turned 30. It was a statement that sent quiet ripples through the golf world, not least because of how much she had already achieved. But earlier this year, the two-time major champion seemed to walk those words back.

“I still want to play and compete at the highest level,” Lydia Ko confessed months after claiming that she would like to retire by the time she was 30. The New Zealander had her mind set on hanging up the boots. But something changed in early 2025 that made her want to stay longer. Recently, LPGA Tour host Hope Barnett tried to decipher the situation as she considered what was going through the Hall of Famer’s head.

Barnett joined the latest episode of 5 Clubs with Gary Williams to talk about everything that is going on in the LPGA Tour. During one segment, Williams questioned the possibility of Ko retiring in the near future. Hope told Gary, “I think it’s easy to speculate. She’s 28. But she’s been around for so long. But 28 is still so young. A lot of people are like, she’s going to retire at 30. She’s going to hang it up. But I kind of don’t think she will.” Despite only being 28, Ko has been rewriting headlines for more than a decade now.

Ko was only 15 years old when she won her first LPGA Tour title. Since then, she has gathered an impressive 23 career wins in the American women’s golf Tour. While 13 years is a long career to have, what Barnett says is true: Ko is still just 28. Barnett went on to express how the pro might play on longer than she initially suggested.

“I think she’s going to surprise everybody and just keep going. I don’t even know if she necessarily has a timeline in her head, because she said, ‘I still have things I want to achieve.’ She wants to get the career Grand Slam. She’s only two majors away from that. If she does that in a couple of years, maybe that changes things. But she’s been so consistent her whole career, and it’s so emotional for her. I think she’s going to take it past 30.” Even when she announced that she would like to retire by 30, Ko had expressed that she would like to win the career Grand Slam.

With only two seasons left before she reaches that age, it’s highly unlikely that she will be able to overcome the obstacle so quickly. Especially considering she has not come remotely close to winning either of those majors since 2016. That year, she finished at T3 in the U.S. Women’s Open and solo 2nd in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. If Ko does win both these majors to complete her career Grand Slam by 2027, then her decision might change.

Having said that, when will Lydia Ko play her next LPGA Tour event?

When is Lydia Ko returning to the LPGA Tour?

It has been some time since Lydia Ko has graced the golf course. Her last appearance was in the Kroger Queen City Championship back in the second week of September 2025. She finished the event at T14 as she witnessed Charley Hull lift the title in Ohio. With one LPGA Tour win already under her belt this season, Ko is in no rush to return to action after a hectic schedule. Hence, she has decided to skip most of the Asian Swing of the LPGA Tour. The only event she is confirmed for is when the Tour takes a trip to Malaysia.

That’s right, Lydia Ko is playing the 2025 Maybank Championship from October 30 to November 2. She will join Lottie Woad, Jeeno Thitikul, and other top stars in the tournament. It will be the perfect event to prepare for the penultimate event of the season, Annika, driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.