Two LPGA friends announce their retirement at The Annika

Two days after her own retirement, Elizabeth Szokol returned to her home course, Pelican Golf Club, to watch good friend Caroline Inglis say her own goodbye. The two friends, who were grouped together in the first two rounds, are the latest thirtysomethings to move on from the LPGA in what has become a common trend.

Szokol also had another friend, Cheyenne Knight, on a FaceTime call so she could see the finish on Sunday at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.

“I think it’s a mix of emotions. It’s definitely bittersweet,” said Inglis. “Sad to go and be done after so long, so many years on LPGA Tour, but excited for the next step. It’s definitely the right decision for me.”

Inglis, 31, joined the LPGA in 2017 and earned $1.1 million over the course of a career that included three top 10 finishes. Back injuries have plagued her professional career and flared up again over the summer. When a job opportunity presented itself to work at the Oregon Golf Association, Inglis felt it was the right time to make a change.

Szokol, who lives locally in the Tampa Bay Area, planned to make dinner for all who came to celebrate the two friends.

“I’m so proud of (Elizabeth) and everything she’s accomplished,” said Inglis. “I told her, I hope you’re proud of yourself as well. And I feel the same way. We may not always accomplish all the things we wanted to, but we’re out here and at the end of the day we’re with the 150, 200 best women golfers in the world, so it’s pretty cool.”

Szokol, 30, joined the LPGA in 2019 and won the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational with Knight in 2023. She has nine career top 10s and $1.8 million in career earnings.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been nine years playing, which is pretty crazy,” said Szokol on Friday. “It was great to retire at home, a golf course I’m a member at and had so many family and friends out today. So it was pretty special.

“Would’ve liked one more putt to go in, but that’s all right. I can look back at a successful career.”
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/two-lpga-friends-announce-retirement-201123204.html