As the LPGA gears up for the U.S. Women’s Open this week, news came out about one of the game’s best players.
Lexi Thompson, who started her professional golf career at the U.S. Women’s Open when she was just 12 years old in 2007, announced this week that she will be retiring at the conclusion of the LPGA season, which is about six months away.
“While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” Thompson said in an Instagram video on Tuesday. “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. Thime 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.”
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Lexi Thompson’s impact on the game of golf
During that 2007 U.S. Women’s Open, Lexi Thompson became the youngest at the time to qualify and two years later and 14 years old, she made the cut in that event
Thompson, 29, won 11 events and one major, which came at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., during her 12-year LPGA Tour career.
Even with only one major victory to her name and 11 victories, Thompson has provided that impact to so many. Whether it is with her swing or empowering young girls to go out and play the game, Thompson has shown how much of an influence she can be in this sport of women’s professional golf.
In addition to her career wins, she is a two-time Olympian, a six-time Solheim Cup member and has become one of the game’s most influential players.
Her impact is comparable to some other golf legends like Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam as well as some of today’s current stars such as Nelly Korda and Rose Zhang.
Eight months ago in October, Thompson became the seventh female ever to compete on the PGA Tour at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas. Even with her 300-yard drives, she nearly made the cut that week, a feat that could even rival her major championship.
With a second round 69, Lexi Thompson became the second ever woman to break 70 in a PGA Tour event and nearly became the first woman in nearly eighth decades to make the cut at a PGA Tour event.
Part of playing in that particular event was not just to show herself that she can play with men, but an opportunity to show others, especially the children in attendance at the Shriners Children’s Open, that any dream can be possible.
“It’s been something I grew up doing with my brothers and have wanted to do, but to also send a message out to the Shriners kids that no dream is too small, and they can go after what they want and follow their dreams,” said Thompson in her pre-tournament press conference at the Shriners Children’s Open. “If I can leave here inspiring others, and especially the kids, the Shriners kids, that’s what it’s all about and what this tournament is. There is more than just playing golf.”
Having that type of mentality has transformed people like Lexi Thompson from an LPGA Tour player to a LPGA Tour legend and a generational talent.
As Thompson prepares for her 18th U.S. Women’s Open start this week, all eyes will be on her not only this week, but for the rest of the season, whether it is being in contention for a win or as December nears and the end of the season is about to conclude.