Former Olympic Golfer Announces Retirement Age 37
Norwegian golfer Espen Kofstad has called time on his professional career aged just 37


Former Olympian Espen Kofstad has announced his retirement from professional tournament golf aged just 37.
The Norwegian played 127 times on the DP World Tour and collected €781,718 in prize money but never managed to get over the line and claim a tournament victory.
Kofstad did win four times on the Challenge Tour and topped the money list in 2012 to earn his DP World Tour card. He reached a career-high of 180 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
He took part in golf's return to the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 and made his PGA Tour debut in 2022 at the Barbasol Championship, when he finished T13 before following up with a T16 at the Barracuda Championship the following week.
Kofstad has had his problems with injuries throughout his career though, and after withdrawing from last month's Open de Espana he has now decided he's had enough of professional tournament golf.
"Thank you tournament golf for everything," Kofstad wrote on Instagram.
"This feels like the right time to move on and look for something new. Thank you to everyone that has helped me along the way!"
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Kofstad further explained his decision to Norsk Golf, saying that after playing through the pain of all his injury problems, he decided the time was right.
A post shared by Espen Kofstad (@espenkofstad)
A photo posted by on
He still hopes to stay in golf in some form, but felt he had achieved his childhood goals of making it onto the professional tour.
"Enough is enough. I have decided to quit," Kofstad told Norsk Golf.
"I still love golf. But I have been thinking about putting competitive golf on the shelf for quite some time.
"I have tried to set myself goals. But I don't find the same driving force as before. And then I would rather use my skills and experience in other areas."

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.
-
PGA Tour Truist Championship Creator Classic Line-Up And Format Revealed
The PGA Tour has announced the line-up for the second Creator Classic ahead of the Truist Championship - with YouTubers from outside golf taking on the challenge
By Paul Higham
-
Are You Tired Of Your High-Handicap Golfer Status? These 4 Substantiated Tips Are Your Salvation
Being a high-handicap golfer is not easy, with consistency being difficult to establish and progress hard to come by... until you try these four simple tips!
By Barry Plummer
-
DP World Tour Pro Announces Retirement After 20-Year Career
Mike Lorenzo-Vera has announced he’s bringing the curtain down on his career as “my priorities have switched”
By Mike Hall
-
DP World Tour Announces New $4m Event Coming To India
The inaugural DP World India Championship will offer the circuit’s largest ever prize fund for an event on the subcontinent
By Mike Hall
-
Hainan Classic Prize Money Payout 2025
The Asian Swing section of the DP World Tour season concludes with the Hainan Classic in China, where plenty is at stake for the competitors
By Mike Hall
-
Home Favorite Ashun Wu Cards Lowest Final Round To Seal Second China Open Title And Reclaim DP World Tour Card
Ashun Wu added to his 2015 China Open title with another in 2025 thanks to a superb final round 65 - propped up by a stunning back nine at Enhance Anting GC
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Volvo China Open Prize Money Payout 2025
The DP World Tour heads to the Far East for a tournament offering one of the largest purses so far this season
By Mike Hall
-
How Eugenio Chacarra Can Qualify For A PGA Tour Card Following Indian Open Success
Eugenio Chacarra secured his DP World Tour card with victory at the Hero Indian Open, but what does it mean for his chances of making it to the PGA Tour?
By Mike Hall
-
Ex-Prisoner And Australian Bike Gang Member Locks Up DP World Tour Card
Once imprisoned for assault, Ryan Peake went on to win the New Zealand Open earlier this year and has now wrapped up a DP World Tour card for 2026
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Former LIV Golfer Eugenio Chacarra Earns Full DP World Tour Status Via Hero Indian Open Victory
The Spaniard carded a final-round 71 to triumph by two strokes and wrap up his card just months after being dropped by the LIV Golf League
By Jonny Leighfield