12/03/24
April 21, 2010
No. 1 LPGA Golfer Lorena Ochoa Retiring: Lorena Ochoa, the number 1-ranked female golfer since April 2007, is retiring from competitive golf after 27 LPGA victories and two major championships and will announce the reason Friday, according to Golfweek. Only 28, Ochoa would be the first player from Mexico to reach the World Golf Hall of Fame, given her victories, but she's two years short of amassing the years of service to qualify. "It's never good news for a golf tour to have its top player retire," writes Garry Smits.
she knows there is life after professional golf.
Which is probably part of the reason she's been so good at professional golf.
posted by JJ at 02:02 PM on April 21, 2010
I'm curious to know the reason why she's retiring so young. Seems that male professional golfers play until they die.
posted by DudeDykstra at 07:52 PM on April 21, 2010
There's nothing I respect more than a classy pro athlete who does their thing, makes a lot of money, and has their priorities straight enough to realize there may be things more important in life than playing golf. Best wishes in everything you do in your life, Lorena.
posted by dyams at 08:12 PM on April 21, 2010
She should do what she wants, but I think it's weird that people admire her priorities. She was gifted with exceptional talent in a sport and she's giving it up. It should be possible for her to have a family and a pro golfing career at the same time. She's the No. 1 in the world in her sport and isn't even 30 yet. Can anyone think of a male athlete in her position who quit the game to start a family? Lots of female celebs and politicians and business leaders have kids while pursuing important, time-consuming jobs.
To put it another way, if Tiger Woods had quit at 28 to start a family, would the consensus view among sports fans have been admiration for his priorities? I think we would have shit bricks at the loss of so much career potential.
posted by rcade at 08:17 PM on April 21, 2010
rcade, with all due respect, I cannot believe that you seem to imply that an elite athlete owes us their time for our personal enjoyment at the expense of their own well being. If you found another passion other than this website and closed it I'm sure must of us would be sad but happy for you. Life changes, thank goodness, and I hope everyone embraces a new positive challenge with both arms. You will always have the memories of the past but the future is the rest of "your" life.
posted by gfinsf at 07:17 AM on April 22, 2010
She doesn't owe us anything. But gifts like hers are rare, so watching her give it up completely for motherhood -- and be celebrated for it instead of questioned -- is disappointing. If I had a say in the matter I'd rather see her try to do both, like the many other accomplished people who find a balance.
posted by rcade at 07:25 AM on April 22, 2010
What's to question? A young healthy woman who wants to put her life and future family above golf? I think she has everything in proper perspective. She's "done that, did that," time to move on. I wish her more luck in her new life than in golf.
posted by gfinsf at 07:44 AM on April 22, 2010
If she was a young healthy man would you say the same thing?
posted by rcade at 08:46 AM on April 22, 2010
If she was a young healthy man would you say the same thing?
I would absolutely say the same thing if it was a young man retiring in this situation. I'd be a bit amazed, but only because I, myself, don't have the same talent or ability to continue making piles of money and dominating at a sport. We as fans have unfortunately become accustomed to watching athletes who once were the best get worse and worse until they have no choice but to leave their respective sport.
Being focused on family isn't something Ochoa can probably put aside enough to continue to dominate the way she has in recent years, and in her position as the best female golfer on the planet, I can appreciate her not wanting to just hang around in tournaments and not winning them. Finishing in the top 10 could still keep padding her bank account, but it would be a letdown for fans of the game. She obviously feels she has enough money to live comfortably, and that has to be a good feeling.
Who's to say she won't make a comeback down the road anyways?
posted by dyams at 09:08 AM on April 22, 2010
If she was a young healthy man would you say the same thing?
The arguments of gfinsf and dyams notwithstanding, there's a bit of a physiological difference between a woman starting a family and a man, don't you think? That said, yes, I would say the same thing as well. I am ok with anyone retiring from anything if they are financially able to support their family and would rather do things other than their chosen profession. Good on her, and I imagine if some years down the line when the kids are older she decides she wants to make a comeback, the LPGA will welcome her with open arms.
posted by bender at 10:29 AM on April 22, 2010
Young man or woman, I can live without both playing any sport knowing they are happy in their new life. What selfish motive do you have to have them "perform" for you and make their life less fulfilled? Be happy for them not selfish. It's not the circus that is coming to town where some people have no choice to get a new life. If Roger Fedrer quit tomorrow because he loved his "wife," (I don't think he is married) more than tennis, good for him, bad for us, so what. Would you say he should not because you want to keep watching him? Hard to understand your point, sorry.
posted by gfinsf at 10:33 AM on April 22, 2010
What selfish motive do you have to have them "perform" for you and make their life less fulfilled?
My first comment began "She should do what she wants." My second began "She doesn't owe us anything." Your continued characterization of my remarks as selfish is off-base. I'm challenging the reaction of those who praise this decision, because I think there's a double standard due to gender.
The arguments of gfinsf and dyams notwithstanding, there's a bit of a physiological difference between a woman starting a family and a man, don't you think?
Yes, but after the birth it doesn't mean women have to be the primary caregiver any more. This isn't the '50s. Lots of dads are stay-at-home parents. Lots of moms are primary breadwinners. More women are employed in the U.S. than men today.
posted by rcade at 10:51 AM on April 22, 2010
Federer got married last year and they had twins a few months later. If he had retired then, while still at his peak, I'd say the same thing I'm saying about Ochoa. It's like J.D. Salinger publishing nothing the last 47 years of his life -- despite continuing to write every day for his own pleasure. He had the right to do that, but man what a loss for the world.
posted by rcade at 10:58 AM on April 22, 2010
Golf doesn't seem like a sport that is incompatible with raising a family. I'm sure there is a cultural element here.
posted by bperk at 06:21 PM on April 22, 2010
Yes, but after the birth it doesn't mean women have to be the primary caregiver any more. This isn't the '50s. Lots of dads are stay-at-home parents. Lots of moms are primary breadwinners. More women are employed in the U.S. than men today.
Certainly true, but (a) she may be interested in having multiple babies, (b) after they come out, it may take some time to get back into playing shape, and (c) maybe she wants to stay home with the kids--she's already won the bread. As I said in the other post, I think the door is absolutely open for a return sometime down the line.
posted by bender at 08:19 AM on April 23, 2010
Ochoa is already opening the door a little. She'll play her home tournament each year, which may help her get the 10 years necessary for Hall of Fame eligibility.
posted by rcade at 01:09 PM on April 23, 2010
Steve Elling of CBS Sports offers more on her decision (and questions the haste).
posted by rcade at 09:56 AM on April 24, 2010
Wow, I question her retiring so young, too, but that article is crazy sexist. I bet he wouldn't question whether emotions got the better of a male athlete who decides to retire but is emotional about it.
posted by bperk at 07:34 PM on April 24, 2010
Ochoa could frequently be found in the maintenance areas of golf courses where the LPGA played, talking and signing autographs for Hispanic workers.
She has been pretty down to earth her whole career, apparently. The LPGA and its fans will certainly miss her. Like Annika, she knows there is life after professional golf.