Lexi Thompson has announced she will retire from full-time professional golf at the end of the season.
Thompson is playing in her 18th US Women’s Open this week, and the fact she is only 29 speaks to a career that began at such a young age.
She was 12 when she qualified for the 2007 US Women’s Open at Pine Needles, at the time the youngest ever to qualify. She also set an LPGA Tour record as the youngest winner when she captured the Navistar LPGA Classic at the age of 16. Both records have since been broken.
Thompson has won 15 times on the LPGA Tour, but only claimed one major title – in 2014 at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, California.
“While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” Thompson said. “At the end of 2024, I will be stepping away from a full professional golf schedule.
“I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of the year as there are still goals I want to accomplish. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life. Time with family, friends, and my trusted companion, Leo.
“I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And, of course, I look forward to a little time for myself.”
Thompson highlights struggles of professional athletes
Thompson described the challenges of constantly being in the spotlight – including dealing with social media, with the six-time Solheim Cup player also making reference to the death of PGA Tour player Grayson Murray during her retirement press conference.
Murray – who took his own life on May 24 – spoke openly about alcoholism and his struggles with depression and anxiety from life as a tour professional, with Thompson wiping away tears as she discussed the challenges faced by professional athletes.
“Being out here can be a lot,” Thompson added in her press conference ahead of the US Women’s Open. “It can be lonely. Especially with what’s happened in golf, as of recently too, a lot of people don’t realise a lot of what we go through as a professional athlete.
“I’ll be the last one to say like throw me a pity party. That’s the last thing I want. We’re doing what we love. We’re trying the best every single day. You know, we’re not perfect. We’re humans. Words hurt. It’s hard to overcome sometimes.
“But having the people around you that love you and support you, I feel like that’s been the biggest thing for me. I might not have a huge friend group, but to have the people that matter the most around me have gotten me through some really hard times.
“I think it’s a lot for everyone out here or in any professional sport. A lot of people don’t know what we go through. The amount of training and hard work that we put ourselves through, it’s a lot. I think we deserve a lot more credit than what we get.”
