"Please stay as long as possible", "You're only 27 girl" - Fans react to Lydia Ko's retirement talks following Hall of Fame induction

The 2024 Paris Games were special for New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko, who won the third Olympic medal of her career: a gold.

Ko was eyeing not only a gold medal at the Olympics but also her induction into the coveted LPGA Hall of Fame. To receive a nod into the Hall of Fame, a golfer has to secure 27 points in their career. The Olympic win gave Ko her 27th point.

Ko was tied with Switzerland's Morgane Metraux going into the final round in Paris. She finished the final round at 1-under par to secure her place in the LPGA history books. There has been a lot of speculation around the 27-year-old's future, as talks of retirement have been circulating.

Fans, however, are still celebrating her gold in Paris:

"Lydia Ko's gold in the golf was an incredibly emotional moment. Not a dry eye in the house" one fan said.

Another got the reasoning behind Ko's retirement talks, spinning a new perspective:

"Retirement? What more can Lydia achieve in Golf? More Majors? Most of the Majors are made for the big hitters, the long hitters, when Lydia is a finesse player. Not worth the trouble Lydia. Love to see you rise to the top doing somethin else. We need people like you in NZ," the fan said.

Some fans, however, weren't so keen on it:

"Why are they talking about Lydia Ko retiring? She's 28 lmao. Throw darts til you can't anymore. There's money to be made," a fan wrote.

All over social media, fans were giving Ko praises for her accomplishments, and wishing her nothing but the best in her future. The New Zealand golfer soon announced her retirement from the Olympics, having won the bronze, silver and gold golf medals across three editions.

"You're only 27 girl keep her going." A fan commented on Lydia Ko's post about retirement.

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Lydia Ko cements her place into LPGA history books with Olympic Gold Medal

The 28 points needed to enter the elusive LPGA Hall of Fame can be achieved by a golfer in many different ways.

Major Championship titles are worth 4 points, other LPGA tournament wins are worth 1 point, the Vare Trophy is worth 2 points, and the LPGA Player of the Year as well as an Olympic Golf Medal is worth 1 point.

Going into the Paris Games, Lydia Ko was sitting at 27 points. She is only the 26th player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and the first since 2022.

With the gold, Ko completed the Olympic Medal trifecta. She earned silver in the 2016 Rio Games and bronze in Tokyo in 2021.

At just 27, Ko is the youngest golfer inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame. Lorena Ochoa also earned enough points to be inducted in 2008, but she only had golfed on tour for five years when she announced her retirement.

Up until recently, there was a requirement, that a golfer must play in the LPGA for a minimum of 10 years to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ochoa was inducted in 2022 after the rule was removed. Eight other honorary inductees also joined her that year.

Lydia Ko has no immediate plans of retirement from the tour.