Lexi Thompson Announces She's Retiring From Full-Time Professional Golf At Just 29
Lexi Thompson has announced her plans to retire from full-time professional golf after the 2024 LPGA Tour season. While the announcement is a surprise given that the American only recently turned 29 years old, Thompson will be stepping away from the game with an already lengthy and accomplished career under her belt.
Thompson made the announcement via the USGA ahead of this week's U.S. Women's Open and is set to address the media Tuesday afternoon to expand on her decision to retire from professional golf from a full-time basis.
"Lexi’s aggressive, powerful style of play earned her the respect of millions of fans but it was the gracious way she treated those fans that won their love. Whatever is next for Thompson, whether it includes golf, she has a legion of followers who will be rooting her on," the USGA story stated.
"The one-time child star walks away from competitive golf just as she entered the game, with her head held high over her 6-foot frame, striding the golf course golf very much on her own terms and in her own style."
Lexi Thompson has announced her retirement from professional golf. (Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Florida native is set to make her 18th consecutive U.S. Women's Open start. And no, that is not a typo.
Thompson qualified for the 2007 U.S. Women's Open at just 12 years old, which made her, at the time, the youngest qualifier in the Open's history. She turned professional in June of 2010 at just 15 years old.
Despite turning 29 this past February, this week's U.S. Women's Open will be Thompson's 64th major championship appearance. Across her previous 63 major championship starts, Thompson was able to win the 2014 Chevron Championship and earn 18 other Top 10 finishes. She earned 10 more LPGA Tour titles on top of her lone major championship victory across the span of her career.
Thompson steps away from the game having represented the United States in the Solheim Cup on six different occasions, helping lead the Americans to two victories.
During the 2018 season, Thompson took a month-long leave from the LPGA, stating that "I have not truly felt like myself for quite some time" citing a need to "recharge my mental batteries." She went on to win the next season, but over the last handful of years it has felt like golf has been far more work than enjoyment for Thompson.
It will be interesting to see what's next for such a young star who has been an integral part of women's golf for well over a decade at this point.