Finland’s most successful golfer Mikko Ilonen has surprised the golf world by announcing his retirement from competitive golf at age 39.

Ilonen turned professional in 2001 but made his European Tour debut contesting two events including becoming the first Finn in 2000, and as the then British Amateur champion to contest the (British) Open Championship that same year before soon after turning pro.

He contested a total of 398 European Tour events in his career, making the halfway cut in 230 and winning five times with Ilonen’s first victory the co-sanctioned 2007 Indonesian Open.

Ilonen later in 2007 won the Scandinavian Masters while other victories included the 2013 Nordea Masters, a wire-to-win win at the 2014 Irish Open and with the biggest win of his career later in 2014 when he humbled Sweden’s Henrik Stenson in the final of the World Match-Play Championship at Wentworth in England.

My (Bernie) fondest memory of Mikko Ilonen – Celebrating his victory at the 2014 Irish Open at Fota Island.

In 2001, Ilonen also became the first Finnish-born golfer to compete in the Masters while his continued a Majors first for Finland in teeing-up in the 2012 US Open and competed in the 2013 PGA Championship.

The efforts helped Ilonen win some Euro 7.77m in prizemoney.

Ilonen, who also reached a high of World No. 37 in defeating Stenson, indicated his desire to retire is to spend more time with his family.

“Last couple of months I’ve been debating with myself if that competitive Mikko still exits,” he said on Instagram.

“After looking at it from all possible angles, I’ve come to a conclusion to end my playing career.  I’m confident that is the right decision.  And the time is right.  I want to pursue some of my other dreams and goals in life. 

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

“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’m extremely thankful to my family, friends, partners, coaches, managers and the fans for their support.  There’s many ups and downs I’ve shared with many wonderful people around me throughout my career.  

“One of the best memories of them all was winning 1st time in Europe, the Scandinavian Masters in 2007.

“Thank you all.”