“Lexi Thompson Shocks Golf World with Surprise Announcement

Lexi Thompson is retiring from full-time competition this year, concluding a career known for her powerful game, appeal to young fans, and numerous star-crossed moments in major tournaments.

Thompson is expected to speak later today ahead of the U.S. Women’s Open. At just 29 years old, she is playing in her 18th Women’s Open, highlighting a career that began at a remarkably young age.

Thompson made history at age 12 by qualifying for the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles, becoming the youngest ever to qualify at that time. She later set an LPGA Tour record as the youngest winner, capturing the Navistar LPGA Classic at age 16. Both records have since been broken.

Over her career, Thompson secured 15 LPGA Tour victories, with her lone major title coming at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, California. She also finished as a runner-up in four other majors, including a memorable final round at the 2017 Kraft Nabisco where she was penalized four strokes for a rules violation from the previous day. Additionally, she lost a five-shot lead in the final round of the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open at The Olympic Club.

Thompson grew up playing with her brothers, two of whom reached the PGA Tour, and was celebrated for her powerful drives. Last year, she accepted an exemption to play in a PGA Tour event in Las Vegas, keeping fans on edge with her performance before ultimately missing the cut.

Despite her power and early successes, Thompson has not won an LPGA event in nearly five years. However, she did achieve a victory on the Ladies European Tour in the fall of 2022, funded by Saudi-based Aramco.