Former teen prodigy, major champion and all-round history-maker, Lexi Thompson has revealed 2024 will be her last year as a full-time member of the LPGA Tour.
Thompson is an 11-time LPGA Tour winner — including her lone major at the 2014 Chevron Championship, then known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship — and represented the United States in six Solheim Cups as well as two Olympic Games.
“Golf has been my life ever since I was five years old, tournaments when I was 7,” Thompson said from Lancaster Country Club, site of this week’s US Women’s Open.
“I haven’t really known much of a life different, but it’s been an amazing one.
“This sport has taught me a lot, and I’ve learned so much along the way, built so many friendships and relationships. I’m looking forward to what life has in store.”
Despite being just 29 years old, Thompson will begin her 18th US Women’s Open on Thursday.
Loading Instagram content
Thompson qualified for the 2007 edition of the tournament at the age of 12, then the youngest ever to accomplish the feat. She turned professional at age 15 and at 16 became the youngest player to win an LPGA tournament by capturing the 2011 Navistar Classic. Both records since have been broken.
Thompson became the seventh woman to compete on the men’s PGA Tour when she participated in the 2023 Shriners Children’s Open, missing the cut by two strokes.
Thompson currently is 54th in the women’s world rankings, but she has missed each of her past three cuts as she has played through a hand injury.
“I haven’t been playing the golf that I expect myself to, but my hand has been unbelievably better,” Thompson said, when asked if injury was at least part of the reason she decided to retire.
“I’ve actually been able to go out there and swing without pain, which is always nice. That’s been a great feeling to have. I wouldn’t say that has any factor. Of course the results haven’t been what I’ve wanted. It’s just where I’m at in my life.”
Thompson did leave the door open to compete at select events in the future.
“I’m taking it day by day right now,” she said.
“I’m not going to say yes or no on how many events I’ll play — or if I do. I’m just going to take it day by day and see how I feel, especially going into next year. But I’m very content with this being my last full-time schedule year.”
The number one goal still remaining for Thompson this year is to qualify for the United States Solheim Cup team in September.
“[It is a] huge honour just to represent my country and play alongside the team there and my captain,” she said.
World number one Nelly Korda commented on Thompson’s impact on the LPGA Tour.
“She’s had such an amazing career,” Korda said.
“I’ve gotten to be on the team with her a couple times representing our country. I think she does an amazing job for the tour. She really dedicated her time to growing the game.
“It’s sad to see that she’s obviously leaving and not going to be out here with us anymore, but she’s had an amazing career, and I wish her the best in this new chapter of her life.”
LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan also spoke to Thompson’s impact on and off the course.
“She embodies the spirit and dedication of our founders — always showing up and engaging intentionally to help further the growth and impact of the LPGA,” Marcoux Samaan said.
“She is beloved by fans, consistently seen signing autographs and interacting with them no matter the result that day.
“This dedication was exemplified last year when she was honoured with our Founders Award, given to an LPGA member who best exemplifies the spirit, ideals, and values of the LPGA through her behaviour and deeds, as voted on by her peers.
“Lexi’s remarkable career and the way she has conducted herself both on and off the course have inspired countless girls around the world to pursue their goals with passion and perseverance.”
Sports content to make you think… or allow you not to. A newsletter delivered each Saturday.
Reuters
Discussion about this post