Lexi Thompson hasn’t missed a U.S. Women’s Open since age 12, tops field in appearances

Lexi Thompson will be playing in her 19th consecutive U.S. Women’s Open.
Thompson and Amy Yang hold the record for most consecutive starts at the event.
Thompson made her U.S. Women’s Open debut at age 12 in 2007.
She has five top-10 finishes in the U.S. Women’s Open, including a second-place tie.

One year ago, Lexi Thompson announced at the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club that she was stepping away from full-time golf. It kickstarted a semi-farewell tour for the second half of the LPGA season. Thompson wasn’t retiring, but it was unclear exactly how much fans would see of her going forward.

Turns out, more than many expected.

Thompson, 30, will make her 19th consecutive start in a U.S. Women’s Open next week at Erin Hills. It’s a mark that will only be matched by 35-year-old Amy Yang in Wisconsin. Of the 156 players in the field, Thompson and Yang will also have the most overall appearances in the event at 19. They’re followed by three-time major champion Anna Nordqvist (17), Jenny Shin (15) and four players at 14 – Carlota Ciganda, Moriya Jutanugarn, Lydia Ko and Leta Lindley.

Last year, former U.S. Women’s Open champion Brittany Lang had the most appearances in the field at 20. Two years ago at Pebble Beach, Angela Stanford held the distinction with 24.

Thompson made her Women’s Open debut at Pine Needles in 2007 when she set a record for the youngest to qualify at age 12. Remarkably, she hasn’t missed one since, notching five top-10 finishes along the way, including a heartbreaking loss four years ago at The Olympic Club and a share of second in 2019.

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