Michael Hoey confirms retirement from pro golf

By Sports Desk
Published 23rd Feb 2022, 16:51 BST
Updated 23rd Feb 2022, 17:14 BST
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Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey has announced his retirement from professional golf to become a referee on the DP World Tour.

Hoey, a five-time winner on the European Tour and part of the victorious Walker Cup team in 2001, will begin his new role in South Africa next month as a referee.

“It’s exciting, a new challenge,” the 43-year-old told BBC Sport.

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“When the pandemic started in 2020 I started learning the rules and looking into that as I didn’t really know where the future lay.

MALLORCA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during Day One of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A at T-Golf & Country Club on November 4, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)MALLORCA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during Day One of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A at T-Golf & Country Club on November 4, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)
MALLORCA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during Day One of the Rolex Challenge Tour Grand Final supported by The R&A at T-Golf & Country Club on November 4, 2021 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

“I missed that whole year but had quite a good year last year and did quite well at the Dunhill Links so I proved to myself I could still play.

“But I’ve just turned 43 and I see so many good young players on the Challenge Tour now, it’s hard to make a living.

“I’ll always miss the thrill of competition but I’ve had two years to think about this and while I enjoyed it last year, you have to make a living out of it too and I’m happy with where I am.”

Related topics:Northern IrelandWalker CupSouth Africa

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