Lexi Thompson gave a tearful press conference after finishing her final full-time competitive season on the LPGA Tour.
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Lexi Thompson is only 29 years old, but she has lived through several seasons of golf.
She introduced herself to the world of golf in 2007 when she qualified for the US Women’s Open at the age of 12. At the time, he was the youngest player to ever qualify for the national championship. He turned pro three years later and won his first on the LPGA Tour the following season. There was no question if the emerging champion will win the big title, but instead How many.
As it turns out, Thompson would go on to win just one more, a 2014 desert victory that culminated in a jump into Poppie’s Pond. There were other chances, complete with tragically close calls and controversial finishes, but Thompson’s win at Dinah Shore was his lone victory in the biggest division. Of course, Thompson’s journey had many other positives, but ultimately his career was defined by what it was would be be.
On Sunday in Naples, that journey officially ended. With a final round of 74 at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, Thompson’s competitive playing career ended. There may be one-time events in the future, but for now, Thompson’s full-time playing days are behind him.
Speaking to the media after the round, Thompson struggled to contain his emotions as he thought about “the end.”
“It was very emotional,” she said. “Actually, I didn’t even arrive [the last hole] for some reason. Everything hit me.”
Thompson’s last event did not go as well as he had hoped. He posted a two-under par for the week – setting up a tie for 49th – and his final round featured a quadruple-bogey 8. To make matters worse, Sunday’s TV broadcast forced the final round to start with two teams, ie. Thompson finished No. 9 instead of No. 18.
“So sad,” Thompson wrote on Instagram. “I can’t accept all the amazing fans at 18.”
In the end, of course, lousy finishes and lousy plays won’t be what Thompson is remembered for. His legacy will be shaped by his triumphs and heartbreaks – as well as his generosity and those who supported him through it all.
“[My legacy] it means more to me than anything,” Thompson said. “Yeah, winning, you know, made me who I am, the success and all, but I wanted to leave a big impact as an example, someone who gave back to the game, someone who influenced young girls. and the boys here started the game at a young age. To show how I give back to people and sponsors and everything, there are more important things than playing good golf.”
Some observers will say that Thompson did not excel academically; others will say, in part, that was the result of negative pressure from a very young age. His resume is full of great achievements, but it’s hard not to wonder how much better it could have been.
One thing that cannot be denied, is the impact Thompson has made on his fans who support him through it all. Even in the most difficult times, he always took time to recover.
“The moments I will cherish the most are probably with the fans,” he said. “Those are the moments I will really remember because they also had an impact on my life.”
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