Lancaster, Pennsylvania — Lexi Thompson promised herself that she would not weep. But as soon as she started talking about how lonely life can be, her voice broke. By no means does she want a sympathy party. The 29-year-old, however, emphasized the human aspect of the game when discussing her intention to finish her professional golf career at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Words are painful. She was also proud of herself for overcoming some really difficult times.
“I just think a lot of people don’t — they don’t appreciate a lot of what we go through as a professional athlete,” the woman remarked, “particularly with what’s happened in golf as of late too.” ..Even though I don’t have many friends, having the ones that mean the most in my life close by has helped me get through some incredibly trying moments.
At the 79th U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club, where she will make her 18th start in the title, Thompson announced her retirement on Tuesday. Her association with the Women’s Open started in 2007 at Pine Needles, where the remarkable 12-year-old made history by being the youngest competitor ever. Even though she has never won the U.S. Women’s Open, she felt that it was appropriate to share the news because this is where it all began.
Thompson declared, “I feel like I’m really pleased with where my life is right now and where this decision will take me.” “I just want to see what else life has in store for me outside golf.”
At sixteen, Thompson won her maiden LPGA championship, breaking a record that was eventually surpassed by Lydia Ko, then fifteen. Her lone major victory, the 2014 Chevron Championship, is one of her 11 LPGA victories. The 2019 Shoprite LPGA Classic was her last LPGA triumph.
Despite having struggled with a hand issue for some time, she played down the injury on Tuesday, saying that she can now swing painlessly and still has a lot of goals left for this season, which undoubtedly includes making her eighth appearance on the U.S. Solheim Cup squad.
Regarding the future, Thompson stated she would take things day by day and did not rule out competing in other LPGA events after this year. She wants to eventually establish a family and release a fitness software.
“Since I was five years old, I’ve played golf, starting with tournaments when I was seven,” the woman remarked. “I haven’t actually experienced much of a different life, but this one has been incredible.”
Over the course of her 13 seasons on tour, Thompson has experienced many high points, but none have been as intense as the heartbreak she felt on the 2017 ANA Inspiration when she learned she would face a four-stroke penalty while playing the back nine after misplacing her ball earlier in the week and signing the wrong scorecard. Even though Thompson was dominating the tournament at the time, the Mission Hills Country Club audience was strongly in favor of her until she eventually lost to So Yeon Ryu in a playoff.
