Suzann Pettersen will make a return to competitive golf next week when she tees up at the Aramco Korea Championship, which is taking place at New Korea Country Club from October 8-11.
The Norwegian’s appearance marks just her second Ladies European Tour start since retiring in 2019 and her first since competing in the Aramco Team Series event in Jeddah nearly four years ago.
Back inside the ropes
Few retirements in golf have carried quite the same sense of finality as Pettersen’s. Moments after holing the winning putt for Europe at the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, the Norwegian announced she was stepping away from professional golf.
Since then, Pettersen has remained one of women’s golf most influential figures. In the years following retirement, she has become a mother of two, led Europe as Solheim Cup captain and recently launched VOXA, an athlete-focused sports management company.
Now, she is preparing for a return to tournament golf.
A return shaped by happy memories
South Korea has long been a happy hunting ground for Pettersen.
Two of her 15 LPGA Tour victories came in the country, and those memories helped convince the former world No. 2 to enter next week’s event.
“I decided to play in Korea as I thought it was a good opportunity to be amongst the players again,” Pettersen said. “It’s been a few years since I last teed it up competitively, and I am looking forward to playing next week, especially as I have good memories from winning in Korea on the LPGA.”
Excited to see where her game stands
The Aramco Korea Championship is part of Golf Saudi’s expanding portfolio of women’s tournaments, a series with which Pettersen is already familiar.
“It’s always nice to be back on the LET and I’ve played Golf Saudi events before,” she said.
“I was always impressed by how well they are run and the commitment they are showing to the women’s game.
“I’ve been outside the ropes at a few tournaments across the year, but I’m excited to see how I feel when I’m back inside the ropes and under tournament conditions.”
While expectations are likely to be modest, the week will provide a valuable test of where her game stands after several years away from full-time competition.
More starts to come
The Korea appearance is not expected to be a one-off. Pettersen is also scheduled to play the Open de España at La Cala later this month as she gradually builds tournament sharpness ahead of a potential move into senior competition.
With future starts on the LPGA’s senior circuit among her long-term goals, competitive rounds have become increasingly important.
One of Europe’s modern greats
Pettersen’s place among Europe’s golfing elite was secured long before her retirement.
The Norwegian won seven times on the Ladies European Tour and claimed 15 LPGA Tour victories, including major titles at the 2007 LPGA Championship and the 2013 Evian Championship. At her peak, she climbed to No. 2 in the world rankings.
Her Solheim Cup legacy is equally significant.
Before stepping into the captaincy role, Pettersen represented Europe in nine editions of the biennial contest and delivered one of the competition’s defining moments when she holed the winning putt at Gleneagles in 2019.
Strong field awaits in Korea
Pettersen will return to a tournament that continues to attract many of the biggest names on the LET.
Among them is home favourite Hyo Joo Kim, who arrives at New Korea Country Club seeking a third consecutive victory in the championship after dominating the previous two editions.
For Pettersen, however, the biggest storyline may simply be stepping back into competition.
After years spent leading teams, mentoring players and shaping the game from outside the ropes, one of women’s golf’s most recognisable figures is ready to test herself once more.