DP World Tour golfer outlines next steps after shock retirement aged 36

Alexander Björk says he is open to staying within golf or sport in some capacity after ending his professional career at the age of 36.

The Swede announced his retirement last September and brought his 16-year career to a close with his 179th and final DP World Tour appearance at the Danish Golf Championship.

Björk was unable to make the 36-hole cut after posting rounds of 72 and 77 at Great Northern in Kerteminde.

Still, he was able to enjoy one final week alongside his family.

"I was thinking today on the course that when I was playing a few years ago and the kids were with me they probably don't remember and now they actually have something to remember from when I played golf," he told Sky Sports.

"I think that was the best part of the week.

"This week was important for me to come here and have a sort of goodbye.

"I got a lot of time in the media and that was fun and it was also fun to bring out the family one last time."

Björk turned professional in 2009 after progressing through the ranks from the Nordic Golf League to the Challenge Tour, now known as the HotelPlanner Tour.

He played one full season on the PGA Tour in 2024 after finishing 11th in the 2023 Race to Dubai Rankings.

Björk became a DP World Tour winner at the Volvo China Open in 2018, defeating Adrian Otaegui by one shot. 

The victory helped him reach a career-high 59th in the Official World Golf Ranking.

His best result in a major came at the 2024 PGA Championship, where he finished tied for 39th.

Asked why he decided to retire, Björk told the DP World Tour's official website: "I thought I was away too much from the family. 

"I wanted to spend more time with my kids and my wife and I think that in the end made the joy for golf a little less as well.

"I think that combination between wanting to be home more and a little less joy for golf at the same time made the decision in the end.

"I felt that for me the only decision was to stop playing and I'm happy with that decision.

"I've not regretted it so far the year I've been away, so it feels good at the moment."

Asked what he plans to do in the future, he added: "At the moment I don't know. I'm trying to figure out what I want to do next.

"When I stopped last year I felt like 'okay, it's not going to be golf.'

"Now I feel more open to golf or sports in general.

"The future will tell but I'm trying to figure out what I want to do at the moment. It can be within golf, it can be away from golf. I'm not sure at the moment."