Lexi Thompson announced her retirement from full-time professional golf in 2024 at age 29, leaving behind a legacy of both remarkable achievements and unfulfilled expectations.

Her career highlights include:

• 11 LPGA Tour wins
• 1 major championship (2014 Kraft Nabisco)
• 91 top-10 finishes
• 158 top-25 finishes
• $14.7 million in career earnings
• 6 Solheim Cup appearances
• Competed against men at 2023 Shriners Children's Open


Thompson's impact extended beyond statistics. She became a household name in golf, known simply as "Lexi," and served as an ambassador for the sport through product endorsements and mental health advocacy.

Fellow LPGA star Nelly Korda praised Thompson's dedication to growing the game: "She does an amazing job for the tour. She spends so much time going to each pro-am party. She really dedicated her time to growing the game."

Despite her successes, Thompson faced challenges and scrutiny throughout her career. Her most notable setback came at the 2017 Kraft Nabisco, where she lost in a playoff after receiving a controversial four-stroke penalty prompted by a TV viewer's observation.

Thompson reflected on the pressures of professional golf during her retirement announcement: "Being out here can be a lot. It can be lonely... A lot of people don't realize what we go through as a professional athlete."

While stepping back from full-time competition, Thompson plans to continue playing select events. She views her legacy positively, stating: "I've always just wanted to be able to give back to the game, to leave it in a better place... That's hopefully what people look to me as — not only a golfer but a great person that has given back, good or bad day."

Her advice for aspiring golfers remains focused on purposeful practice: "Always have a goal in mind... Don't just go out to the golf course and be like I'm just going to hit some balls today or play. Have a goal, something you want to improve on."

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