Emma Talley with her parents after winning the NCAA championship.
When she looks back at her illustrious golf career, Emma Talley admits she wishes she could have played in the Solheim Cup and won more championships. However, she has no regrets about ending her playing career and cherishes all the memories she has.
“Most days I think about all the friends and connections I made through golf. Golf really became my life,” said Talley, 30. “I got to travel the world. I met my husband. I could not have asked for a better career. I would have loved to win more trophies but I am super thankful for the eight years I had on tour along with an amazing amateur career.
“It has all really been amazing. I don’t think of it as the end of golf. I cannot wait to see where I go next and what I do. I plan to stay put in Nashville but really have no idea what I will be doing.”
She does know she’ll become a mom this summer and played the final few months of the 2024 LPGA Tour season after finding out she was pregnant —which was not always easy.
Tally had top top10 finishes on tour and earned over $1.4 million in her career. She made four cuts in 10 starts in 2024 with one top 15 finish.
She won’t remember the numbers, though. Instead, it’s the process she appreciated.
“I loved my college coaches. I loved college golf. I loved playing for the United States (in international competitions). I loved having my dad on the bag for the U.S. Amateur,” she said. “I think about the snowstorm and mom and dad packing up the car so I could go to my golf lessons. The whole thing was magical.
“I won the national championship (at Alabama) and my roommate won the national doubles championship (in tennis). We were both so excited for about 15 minutes and then it was on to doing homework. So for me, it was more about the journey that golf has taken me on. Everything was so great.
“Sure, more (championship) trophies would have been nice but I doubt in 50 years if I will be thinking about trophies. I will hopefully be thinking about all those great memories with friends and especially my parents.”
