LPGA Fact Check: Why Did Ryann O’Toole Decide to Retire Onc…...

On August 15, 2021, Ryann O’Toole finally achieved glory in her 228th LPGA start. It took her 10 years to lift her first-ever championship, the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open. And what a celebration it was! In a tough-fought battle against some of the world’s best pros, she triumphed, and how? Her closest competitors, Atthaya Thitikul and Lydia Ko had played 3 strokes more to finish at T2.
Emotions were running high as O’Toole walked up for an interview for the LPGA holding her coveted first trophy tight. She emphasized how she is still in shock regarding a victory and she can expect the tears will follow later.
But even before she had hit her first tee on August 12th of the same year, the O’Toole camp was in a different mindset. Let’s dive deep into the incident.
Ryann O’Toole’s plans before the Scottish Open
There was an understanding among Ryann O’Toole’s team that the pro would be retiring from the professional circuit at the end of 2021. O’Toole wanted to focus on life outside golf and the tentative date for the same was to be December 31st, 2021.
One of the major reasons she was considering retirement was because she was getting married in December. She and her then-partner, Gina Marra; who was also a professional golfer, wanted to focus on starting a family and having kids. O’Toole went into the Scottish Open with the understanding that this would be one of her last LPGA Tour events.
Speaking to Golf Digest, she said, “I think you get to a point in your life where you’re sitting here going, ‘OK, I’m getting married in December,’ and ‘OK, my clock’s ticking.” She further added, “I want to have kids. So how much longer am I going to be out here? I thought maybe this year would be my last year. I don’t even know. I haven’t even really announced that.”
Ryann O’Toole understood the need to create an identity of herself outside of golf. She stated, “I’m Ryann in a lot of different ways rather than just Ryann the golfer.”
Considering the lack of success she had in the sport, the statement would have made a lot of sense. But things changed over the next 4 days. Now, she had the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open Championship in her hands. Perhaps she understood that now she was not just a participant, but also a challenger, a threat to other pros.

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And then, the story about her retirement turned into history. That is until she actually retires from the sport. She continues to actively playing in the LPGA. So let’s see what she is up to now.
Not retired and still going strong
Ryann O’Toole’s 2021 win is still the only victory she has experienced so far. But that might change soon. She is participating in the BMW Ladies Championship at the Seowon Hills Country Club, South Korea. And she is proving to be a fierce competitor to Hannah Green. She is currently tied for 4th position along with Haeran Ryu from Korea. As the final day approaches, the competition will only get tighter.
Having said that, do you think O’Toole can turn the tides to clinch her second career victory in South Korea? Or do you think Hannah Green will defend her title? They are facing tough competition from the local favorite, Sung Yu-jin, who will aim to dominate on home soil. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments section!
The post LPGA Fact Check: Why Did Ryann O’Toole Decide to Retire Once After Spending a Decade in Women’s Golf appeared first on EssentiallySports.

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