Suzann Pettersen is making a second return to professional golf since her retirement in 2019 with an appearance at this week’s Aramco Korea Championship – and it may not be a one-off.
The Norwegian, 45, retired on the spot seven years ago after sinking the winning putt for Team Europe in the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles.
Pettersen played in the Aramco Team Series event in Jeddah in 2022 and will now tee it up again in Asia, with the two-time major winner having more time on her hands as her children get older.
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She said: “Obviously, I’ve been playing and practising quite a bit at home. Nothing close to playing competitions. I’m curious just to see where my game is at.
“Coming here to Korea feels quite a long way to come to test your game, but I might as well just get the gloves off. I have nothing to prove to myself. I’m just doing this because I love the game.”
Pettersen, who is eligible for the Legends of the LPGA and soon the women’s senior major championships, added: “I’m not going to come back and play a full schedule ever. That’s being very honest.
“I could ideally see myself playing five or six events a year.
“I want to keep the game going in my body, so I don’t have to pick it up in another three years, and then it’s going to be even harder.
Pettersen was the first player to win the Evian Championship after it was elevated to a major in 2013
“The clubs are the same. I have the same irons. I haven’t changed much since last time I hit a professional golf shot, so we’ll see how this goes.”
“I think [the players] are all thinking ‘what the heck are you doing?'”
Pettersen will play alongside Alexandra Försterling and Emily Kristine Pedersen in the opening round at New Korea Country Club.
Since stepping back as a player, Pettersen has presided over two Solheim Cup campaigns as captain – a trophy-retaining 14-14 draw in Spain in 2023 and then a 15½-12½ defeat in the States a year later.
Watch the Aramco Korea Championship live on Sky Sports Mix and Sky Sports+ from 5.30am Thursday, with coverage also on Sky Sports Golf from 8am. Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with NOW.