Olympic golfer retires despite PGA Tour success | Golf News

Espen Kofstad, a participant within the 2016 Rio Olympics, has introduced his retirement from skilled golf at 37. The Norwegian golfer has been battling accidents in recent times, which led to his withdrawal from final month’s Open de Espana.

Despite his comparatively younger age for retirement, Kofstad feels it is time to hold up his golf equipment and shift his profession path. “Thank you tournament golf for everything,” he expressed on Instagram. “This feels like the right time to move on and look for something new. Thank you to everyone that has helped me along the way!”

Kofstad participated in 127 DP World Tour occasions, incomes over half a million kilos in prize money, however by no means secured a match victory. He made his PGA Tour debut simply two years in the past, reaching two commendable top-20 finishes in back-to-back weeks on the Barbasol Championship and the Barracuda Championship.

The former University of Denver participant confessed that the skilled circuit turned more difficult after reaching a career-high rating of 180, and defined to Norsk Golf why he determined to retire. “Enough is enough,” he acknowledged. “I have decided to quit. I still love golf, but I have been thinking about putting competitive golf on the shelf for quite some time.

“The outcomes this yr haven’t been the best. But the decisive motive is that I’ve achieved all my objectives. As a baby, I sat with my grandfather and watched the professionals on TV. That’s the place the dream began. And it was that dream that formed my objectives and have become an interior driving drive.

“I wanted to become a top level tour player. Two top-15 positions on the PGA Tour I am obviously satisfied with. And the Olympic Games in Rio were just a huge bonus, a great experience. I’m very glad I got it.

“I’ve tried to set myself new objectives, however I do not discover the identical driving drive as earlier than. And then I’d quite use my abilities and expertise in different areas.”

Looking ahead, Kofstad shared his aspirations: “I nonetheless suppose it is great to be out on the course. I additionally prefer to touch upon golf. I wish to discover whether or not there are more arenas the place we are able to join golf and business. And I wish to change into a coach. I simply have to contemplate the chances that come up.”