Michael Hoey confirms retirement from pro golf
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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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Hide Ad“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)](https://www.newsletter.co.uk/webimg/TUFZMTM2OTE0MjA3.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
![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)](/img/placeholder.png)
“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.”
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