Ava Romero
On May 28, 2024, American golfer Lexi Thompson announced her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA season, citing mental health struggles. Thompson, who started playing golf at the age of 12, has had a successful career spanning over a decade, with 11 wins on the LPGA Tour, including a Major, and appearances on seven US Solheim Cup teams. She has represented the USA in the Solheim Cup seven times and became the seventh woman in history to compete on the PGA Tour when she played in the 2023 Shriners Open. Thompson's most recent victory was at the 2022 Aramco Team Series in New York on the Ladies European Tour. So, where has golfer Lexi Thompson been since her retirement announcement?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Alexis Noel Thompson |
| Date of Birth | 10 February 1995 |
| Profession | Golfer |
| Retirement | 28 May 2024 |
| Reason for Retirement | Mental health struggles |
| Career Wins | 11 times on the LPGA Tour, including a Major |
| Major Championship Wins | 1 (2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship) |
| Recent Victories | 2022 Aramco Team Series – New York |
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What You'll Learn
Lexi Thompson's retirement from golf
On 28 May 2024, American golfer Lexi Thompson announced her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA season, bringing to a close a 14-year professional career. Thompson, who was 29 at the time, had been one of the biggest names in women's golf and had accumulated 11 LPGA Tour wins, including a Major.
Thompson turned professional in June 2010 at the age of 15. In 2007, at the age of 12, she had become the youngest golfer ever to qualify to play in the U.S. Women's Open, a record since broken by Lucy Li in 2014. Her sole major championship victory came at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship when she was just 19. She also won the 2017 Race to CME Globe on the LPGA Tour and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
In her retirement announcement, Thompson cited the pressures of playing a professional sport in the public eye and her mental health struggles. She said that her life as a golfer had been a "whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny and pressure" and that by speaking publicly about her mental health "battles", she had been able to connect with others and offer a sense of community and understanding. She added that "it's OK to not be OK" and that seeking support is a sign of strength.
Thompson's two brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, are also professional golfers and have played on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour.
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Her career as a golfer
Lexi Thompson is one of the most famous and iconic female golfers of her generation. She is one of the biggest names in women's golf, with a professional career spanning well over a decade. During that time, she has won 11 times on the LPGA Tour, including a Major, and appeared on seven US Solheim Cup teams.
Thompson started playing golf at a very young age. At 12, she was the youngest golfer ever to qualify to play in the U.S. Women's Open in 2007, a record since broken by Lucy Li, who was 11 in 2014. She turned professional in June 2010 at 15. Her first and only major championship win came at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship when she was 19 years old, making her the second-youngest LPGA golfer to win a major. She also won the 2017 Race to CME Globe on the LPGA Tour and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
Thompson has had several other notable moments in her career. She was involved in a rules controversy during the opening round of the 2025 AIG Women's Open when she was observed moving a tuft of grass behind her ball with her club. However, it was later deemed that her lie had not been improved, and she escaped any penalty. In 2017, she celebrated winning the Indy Women in Tech Championship by pouring milk on her head while standing on the racetrack at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
On May 28, 2024, Thompson announced her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA season, citing mental health struggles and the pressures of playing a professional sport in the public eye. She said that speaking publicly about her mental health battles had helped her connect with others and reinforced the message that it is okay to not be okay.
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Her mental health struggles
On May 28, 2024, Lexi Thompson, the American professional golfer, announced her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA season, citing mental health struggles. Thompson turned professional in June 2010 at the age of 15 and has had a decorated career spanning well over a decade. She is one of the most famous and iconic female golfers of her generation, with 11 wins on the LPGA Tour, including a Major, and appearances on seven US Solheim Cup teams. She also won the 2017 Race to CME Globe on the LPGA Tour and the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average.
Thompson's decision to retire from the sport at 29 was influenced by her mental health struggles, which she attributed to the pressures of being a professional athlete in the public eye. In an open letter shared on Instagram, Thompson reflected on her 12-year career, stating that it had been a "whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny, and pressure." She acknowledged that while her journey had been amazing, it hadn't always been easy.
Thompson's retirement announcement highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health and seeking support when needed. She emphasized that by speaking publicly about her own mental health struggles, she found comfort and was able to connect with others experiencing similar challenges. This encouraged a sense of community and understanding, reinforcing the message that it is okay to not be okay.
In addition to the pressures of performing in the public eye, Thompson has also faced other challenges during her career. She has dealt with controversies and criticisms, such as responding to US Women's Open slow play accusations. Moreover, she has had to navigate the intense scrutiny that comes with being a professional athlete, which has taken a toll on her mental well-being.
Thompson's openness about her mental health struggles has been commendable, and it has helped to destigmatize the conversation around mental health in sports. Her willingness to share her experiences has likely inspired other athletes and individuals facing similar challenges to seek support and prioritize their mental health.
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Her victory at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship
On April 3, 2014, at the age of 19 years and 1 month, American golfer Lexi Thompson won her first and only major championship at the Kraft Nabisco Championship. The tournament, held at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course of Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, was the 43rd edition of the championship. Thompson's victory at the Kraft Nabisco Championship was a significant milestone in her career and made her the second-youngest LPGA golfer to win a major championship.
Thompson's performance in the final round was exceptional. She shot a bogey-free 68 (−4), finishing three strokes ahead of her closest competitor, Michelle Wie. Thompson and Wie entered the final round as co-leaders at 206 (−10). Thompson started the final round strongly, opening with a birdie and carding a 32 (−4) on the front nine. She then demonstrated her consistency and composure by finishing with nine consecutive pars to secure the victory.
The Kraft Nabisco Championship has a rich history in women's golf. It began as the Colgate Dinah Shore Tournament, a 54-hole event held at the Old Course at Mission Hills Country Club. Nabisco became the sponsor in 1982, and the tournament was elevated to "Major" status by the LPGA the following year. The tournament has since been a prestigious event on the LPGA Tour, attracting a strong field of competitors.
Thompson's victory at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship was a pivotal moment in her career. It established her as one of the youngest major champions in LPGA history and solidified her place among the sport's elite. Thompson's talent and potential were evident from a young age, as she had already made history by qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open at just 12 years old in 2007.
In May 2024, Thompson announced her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA season, citing mental health struggles and the pressures of performing in the public eye as reasons for her decision. Thompson's retirement brought an end to a decorated career that included significant achievements, with her victory at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship standing as one of the brightest highlights.
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Her involvement in a rules controversy at the AIG Women's Open
In August 2025, during the opening round of the AIG Women's Open, Lexi Thompson was once again at the centre of a rules controversy. She was observed by an official moving a tuft of grass behind her ball with her club. However, it was later deemed that her lie had not been improved, as the grass returned to its original position, and she avoided any penalty. Unfortunately, she went on to miss the cut.
This was not the first time that Thompson had been involved in a rules controversy at the AIG Women's Open. In April 2017, she was hit with a four-stroke penalty after a viewer complained about improper ball placement.
Thompson has also faced other challenges in her career, including a slow play controversy at the 2025 U.S. Women's Open, where she was criticised for appearing to play slowly, with Charley Hull visibly frustrated by the pace. Thompson addressed the backlash directly on Instagram, acknowledging that it wasn't the week she had hoped for but also stating that her group had waited on every single hole for the group in front.
In addition to rules controversies and slow play accusations, Thompson has also been open about her mental health struggles and the pressures of playing a professional sport in the public eye. In 2024, she announced her retirement from full-time golf, citing mental health as a factor. She has spoken about the constant attention, scrutiny, and pressure she has faced throughout her career and has used her platform to raise awareness and normalise discussions around mental health.
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Frequently asked questions
Lexi Thompson has been competing in the 2025 LPGA Tour.
Since turning pro in 2010, Lexi Thompson has been competing in various golf tournaments, including the LPGA Tour, the Ladies European Tour, and the U.S. Women's Open. She has also represented the USA in the Solheim Cup seven times.
In 2024, Lexi Thompson announced her retirement from full-time golf at the end of the LPGA season. However, she continued to play in a small number of events, including the Meijer LPGA Classic, the Women's PGA Championship, and the Solheim Cup.
In 2022, Lexi Thompson competed in the Aramco Team Series - New York on the Ladies European Tour. She also finished in the top 10 in a major tournament, the Women's PGA Championship.
In 2021, Lexi Thompson led the U.S. Women's Open going into the last round. She also represented the USA in the Solheim Cup and competed in the Tokyo Olympics.
