Lexi Thompson, one of women's professional golf's biggest stars of the past 15 years, announced Tuesday that this will be her final season competing full-time on the LPGA Tour.
“While it's never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” Thompson, 29, posted on Instagram. “At the end of 2024, I will no longer have a full professional golf schedule. I am excited to enjoy the rest of the year as there are still goals I want to achieve.
“I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life. Time with my family, my friends and my trusted partner Leo. I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And of course, I hope to have a little time for me.”
Thompson, a two-time Olympian and six-time Solheim Cup competitor, wasn't sure how much golf she'll play in the future. Thompson said Tuesday that she had been contemplating retirement for a few months.
“I'm taking it day by day,” Thompson told reporters at the US Women's Open. “I'm not going to say yes or no about how many events I'll play or if I will. I'll just take it day by day and see how I feel, especially going into next year, but I'm very happy that this will be my last year with a schedule.” full-time”.
Thompson, a one-time child prodigy, will make her 18th consecutive start at the US Women's Open. She was the youngest golfer to qualify for the US Women's Open (she did so when she was 12 at Pine Needles in 2007) and she made the cut at the Major when she was 14 in 2009.
She also won the US Women's Junior Championship in 2008 and compiled a 4-0-1 record for the US team at the Curtis Cup in 2010.
Thompson, of Coral Springs, Florida, turned professional in 2010 and earned the first of her 11 LPGA victories at the Navistar LPGA Classic in September 2011. A 15-time winner worldwide, Thompson's only victory in a Major championship occurred at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.
In his “letter I wrote to the game of golf” video he posted to Instagram, Thompson described his relationship with the sport as “sometimes complicated.”
She withdrew from the 2018 Women's British Open to “recharge her batteries” and focus on her life off the course. She has recently dealt with a nagging hand injury and missed the cut in four of her six starts this season. She is 64th in the Tour season points race.
“While this has been an incredible journey, it hasn't always been easy,” Thompson said in his video. “Since I was 12 years old, as a golfer, my life has been a whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny and pressure. The cameras are always on, capturing every swing and every moment on and off the golf course. Social media never sleeps, with comments and criticism coming from all over the world.
“It can be exhausting to keep a smile on the outside while dealing with struggles on the inside. By opening up about my battles, I have been able to connect with others who feel isolated in their struggles, offering them a sense of community and understanding. Every time I share, “reinforces the message that it's okay to not be okay and that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
One of one. 🌟
Lexi Thompson has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2024 LPGA Tour season. pic.twitter.com/TctyYr5xy2
– LPGA (@LPGA) May 28, 2024
Thompson came painfully close to adding to her major total, finishing second or third eight times in her 63 major starts. She had 19 top-10s and 35 top-25 finishes, including a tie for second at the 2022 Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
“She's had an incredible career,” LPGA star Nelly Korda said Tuesday. “I've been on the team with her a couple of times representing our country. I think she does an amazing job for the Tour. She spends a lot of time going to every pro-am party. She really dedicated her time to growing.” the game.
“It's sad to see that he's obviously leaving and won't be here with us anymore, but he's had an incredible career and I wish him the best in this new chapter of his life.”
Last season, Thompson became the seventh woman to compete on the PGA Tour at the Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas. She shot a 2-under 69 in the second round to become only the second woman to break 70 in a PGA Tour event. With a total of 36 holes of par 142, Thompson nearly became the first woman in 80 years to make the cut in a PGA Tour event.
“Lexi's impact extends far beyond the golf course,” LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a statement posted to X. “She embodies the spirit and dedication of our founders, always showing up and engaging intentionally to help promote the growth and impact of the LPGA is loved by fans, she is constantly seen signing autographs and interacting with them no matter the outcome of that day.
“…On behalf of the LPGA, I want to thank Lexi for her incredible contributions to our Tour and women's golf. We wish her all the best in her next chapter and we, along with the fans, look forward to seeing her compete and celebrate for the rest of the season.”
