Suzann Pettersen is stepping back onto the professional golf stage for a second time since she first hung up her clubs in 2019, this time joining the field at the Aramco Korea Championship. At 45 years old, the Norwegian veteran is not just making a cameo; she hints that this could evolve into a more regular presence on the tour. Pettersen’s original retirement was dramatic and immediate.
Seven years ago, after holing the decisive putt that secured the Solheim Cup victory for Team Europe at Gleneagles, she announced she was quitting the sport on the spot. That moment cemented her legacy as a clutch performer and left fans wondering when, if ever, she might return.
In 2022 she made a brief re‑appearance in the Aramco Team Series event in Jeddah, testing the waters of competitive play after a few years away. Now, with her children growing older and her schedule more flexible, she has decided to travel to Asia for another taste of tournament golf. The two‑time major champion says she now has the luxury of time and is eager to see how her game measures up after a period of less structured practice. Speaking about her preparation, Pettersen explained, “I’ve been hitting balls and practicing at home quite a bit, but it’s nothing like the intensity of tournament competition.
I’m simply curious to gauge where my game stands right now.” She added that the trip to Korea felt like a long journey to test herself, but she was ready to "take the gloves off" and play because of her love for the sport, not because she feels she has anything to prove. Pettersen also addressed the future of her playing career. While she is eligible for the Legends of the LPGA and the upcoming women's senior major championships, she is realistic about her ambitions.
“I’m not planning to commit to a full schedule again. To be honest, I could see myself playing five or six events a year,” she said. “I want to keep the game in my body so I don’t have to restart from scratch in a few years, which would be even more challenging.” She noted that her equipment remains essentially unchanged – the same set of clubs and irons she used before stepping away – and she is eager to see how they perform in a competitive setting after the hiatus.
When asked about how other players might perceive her return, Pettersen laughed, “I think the other players are all thinking, ‘what the heck are you doing?’” Her humor underscores the surprise element of her comeback, but also reflects her confidence and the respect she commands on the tour. In the opening round of the Aramco Korea Championship, Pettersen will be paired with fellow professionals Alexandra Försterling and Emily Kristine Pedersen at the New Korea Country Club.
Their trio will face the pressure of a high‑profile event while spectators watch a seasoned champion test her mettle against the current crop of talent. Since stepping away from regular competition, Pettersen has stayed deeply involved in the sport by captaining the European Solheim Cup team on two occasions. Under her leadership, Europe secured a 14‑14 tie in 2023 in Spain, which resulted in retaining the trophy, and then experienced a 15½‑12½ loss in the United States the following year.
These captaincy roles have kept her connected to elite competition and allowed her to mentor younger players, further enriching her perspective on the game. The Aramco Korea Championship will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports+ starting at 5:30 am on Thursday, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 8 am.
Viewers can also stream the event via NOW, ensuring that fans worldwide can follow Pettersen’s latest chapter. Pettersen’s decision to return, even on a limited basis, highlights a broader trend of veteran athletes seeking to balance competitive desire with personal life and health considerations. By participating in a handful of events each year, she aims to maintain her skill level, stay physically active, and enjoy the camaraderie of the tour without the grind of a full schedule. This measured approach could serve as a model for other former champions who wish to stay engaged with their sport while honoring new priorities.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on how Pettersen’s game feels after years away from the pressure cooker of professional play. Will her swing retain its precision?
Can she contend with the younger, faster‑paced field? And will this appearance spark a more sustained comeback schedule? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Suzann Pettersen’s love for golf remains undiminished, and her presence adds a compelling narrative to the Arambo Korea Championship and to the evolving story of senior women’s golf.