Finland's Ilonen calls time on professional golf career

Cape Town - Five-time European Tour winner Mikko Ilonen has announced his retirement after a 18-year playing career.

The 39-year-old, who is the most successful golfer ever to come out of Finland, made the decision in order to spend more time with his family.

Ilonen reached a career-high of 37th in the world in 2014 when he won twice on the European Tour and finished seventh in the PGA Championship.

The Finn said he still hoped to have a future in the sport in some capacity, while also committing to growing the game in his home country.

"I am convinced that my retirement is not an end to one thing, but instead the beginning of something new and exciting," said Ilonen.

"As a professional golfer, or as an athlete, you sometimes have to be very selfish. I have been selfish for twenty years now and I think it is about time for me to care about others as they have cared for me.

"I made a conscious decision to not involve golf in my off-season after the World Cup of Golf last November.

"Instead, I have focused on my family and my own wellbeing. I have used the time well, which means that I have enjoyed the winter and I have done some of the things I used to do as a kid, such as skiing and snowboarding.

"The quality time I have had with my wife and two kids has meant so much to me and I have realised that I don't want to prioritise other obligations ahead of my family.

"I am very grateful for what golf has given me, but now I want to focus on giving back to those that have supported me and to golf in general.

"My passion is golf and I am determined to find a way of supporting golf in general and Finnish junior golfers in particular.

"I am really looking forward to what the future has in its hands and I hope that I can inspire young boys and girls in Finland and abroad to reach their goals in golf and in life.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people around me and commercial partners that have supported me through the years. I am looking forward to doing great things together with you also in the future."