Laura Davies
World Golf Hall of Famer Dame Laura Jane Davies also hung her golf gloves this year. She exits the stage as her nation’s most accomplished female golfer of modern times. The accomplished English player won over 87 times worldwide, including four major championships, 20 LPGA Tour wins, and 45 Ladies European Tour titles (the most by any player). Davies won the LET Order of Merit seven times between 1985 and 2006.
So Yeon Ryu
Ryu So-yeon announced in March 2024 that she would retire after the Chevron Championship. The South Korean golfer spent 19 weeks as World No. 1. She has a record of 20 professional wins, including two major trophies at the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2017 ANA Inspiration. Ryu bows out with 6 LPGA Tour wins and 10 LPGA of Korea Tour titles.
I.K. Kim
Kim In-Kyung, also known as I.K. Kim, announced the end of her 18-year career at the 2024 AIG Women’s British Open. She joined the LPGA Tour in 2007 and recorded seven professional wins, including the 2017 Women’s British Open. The 36-year-old South Korean golfer also scooped four LET trophies after joining the tour in 2010.
Angela Stanford
After the 2000 U.S. Women’s Amateur, Angela Stanford turned professional and joined the LPGA Tour in 2001. She now boasts seven wins, including the 2018 Evian Championship. The 46-year-old American player was a member of six U.S. Solheim Cup teams between 2003 and 2015 and made 98 major championship appearances before her retirement this year.
Final Thoughts
Whatever you do, always put your heart and soul into it, because your day will come to exit the stage. The above golfers put up their best fight on the course, and as they proceed into retirement and pursue other ambitions, they can only cherish the times they spent enjoying the world’s best game.