LPGA’s Lexi Thompson, 29, retires from full-time golf

Lexi Thompson, one of the biggest stars in women’s professional golf over the past 15 years, announced Tuesday that this will be her final season of full-time competition on the LPGA Tour.

“While it’s never easy to say goodbye, it’s definitely time,” Thompson posted on Instagram. “At the end of 2024, I will step away from a full professional golf program. I’m excited to enjoy the rest of the year because there are still goals I want to achieve.

“I look forward to the next chapter of my life. Time with my family, friends and my faithful companion Leo. I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And of course, I can’t wait to take some time for myself.”

Thompson, 29, is expected to speak to the media Tuesday at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pa., site of this week’s U.S. Women’s Open.

Thompson, a former child prodigy, will make her 28th consecutive start at the U.S. Women’s Open. She was the youngest golfer to qualify for the US Women’s Open – at the age of 12 at Pine Needles in 2007 – and she managed to qualify for the major at the age of 14 in 2009 .

She also won the United States Junior Women’s Championship in 2008 and compiled a 4-0-1 record for Team USA at the Curtis Cup in 2010.

Thompson, of Coral Springs, Fla., turned professional in 2010 and earned the first of her 11 LPGA victories at the Navistar LPGA Classic in September 2011. A 15-time winner all over the world, Thompson’s only major championship victory occurred at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.

“Lexi’s impact extends far beyond the golf course,” LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan said in a statement published on X. “She embodies the spirit and dedication of our founders – Always present and intentionally committed to contributing to the growth and impact of the LPGA, she is beloved by fans, constantly seen signing autographs and interacting with them, regardless of the outcome of the day.

“…On behalf of the LPGA, I want to thank Lexi for her incredible contributions to our Tour and to women’s golf. We wish her all the best for her next chapter and we, along with the fans, look forward to watching her compete and celebrates it throughout the rest of the season.

One on one. 🌟

Lexi Thompson has announced that she will retire at the end of the 2024 LPGA Tour season. pic.twitter.com/TctyYr5xy2

–LPGA (@LPGA) May 28, 2024

Thompson came close to adding to his major total, finishing second or third eight times in his 63 major starts. She has 19 top-10 finishes and 35 top-25 finishes, including a tie for second place in the 2022 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.

Last season, Thompson became the seventh woman to compete on the PGA Tour at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas. She posted a 2-under 69 in the second round to become the second woman to top 70 in a PGA Tour event. With a 36-hole total at par 142, Thompson nearly became the first woman in 80 years to qualify in a PGA Tour event.