Lexi Thompson has competed in every national championship since first appearing on the scene as a prodigious 12-year-old. However, the 11-time LPGA Tour winner will retire at the end of the current season, bidding farewell to a groundbreaking career. The decision was taken keeping in mind her mental health while she recently revealed plans to get married. So is this the last we have seen of Thompson on the greens?

For Thompson, a 12-year LPGA veteran, her decision to step away from the game at just 29 years of age is due to the “lonely times” and the “pressure” that comes with being on the circuit. So she is now focused on living away from such scrutiny, expressing her desire to start a family and travel around the world once she hangs up her cleats.

In an interview with Golf.com, the host asked the LPGA star if winning again on the LPGA Tour as many events are still there in the season, would change her mind. Thompson replied, “It wouldn’t make a difference. As much as people would love to hear that answer that I would change my mind.” The 29-year-old expressed that every time she tees it up, she still wants to win, and if that was not the case, “That’s time to really shut it down.” But there is some hope for her fans.

Thompson reassured her fans that the 2024 season might not be the last time she plays professionally. The 1-time major winner said, “I’m just stepping away from a full-time schedule. I might tee it up a few more times next year. But you know I’m going to take time for myself time away and if I feel good about it, you know, a lot more life to be lived, and if I don’t, I still want to tee it up and play in front of my fans, I will.”

Her comments indicate that although we may not see her compete as regularly as she used to there is a possibility of her showing up for some tournaments once she is up for it. Let’s not forget in her retirement announcement on Instagram in May, she pointed out the struggles she went through during her long career.

She had written, “Since I was 12 years old, my life as a golfer has been a whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny and pressure. The cameras are always on, capturing every swing and every moment on and off the golf course.” Hence, it is understandable that she doesn’t won’t to compete full time and might return in a limited capacity as and when she wishes.

Thompson burst onto the scene as a 12-year-old at the US Women’s Open, becoming the then-youngest player to ever qualify for the tournament. She turned professional three years later in 2010, she clinched the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship for her first major triumph.

She reached a career-high ranking of world No.4 and last year in October she became just the seventh woman ever to compete at a PGA Tour event, appearing at the Shriners Open and missing the cut after shooting even-par. Earlier this year, alongside Rose Zhang, she took part in The Match, competing against PGA Tour stars Rory McIlroy and Max Homa. Zhang and Thompson became the first women to achieve this feat.

It has been five years since Thompson’s last win when thwarted Jeongeun Lee by a single stroke at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. But as her retirement draws closer, she will eye to go out on a winning note. Apart from the Solheim Cup which starts on September 13, there are 10 more tournaments left in the season. So, there is plenty of time for Thompson to add to her winning column before she retires.

For now, her post-retirement will be focused on traveling and getting married. Speaking ahead of the AIG Open in a press conference on 21 August, Thompson shared her plans for the coming years. She said, “I’ll be 30 next year, so settle down, get married, have a family. That’s my No. 1 priority.” 

She then shared insights on her travel plans. “Next year I want to travel. I want to be able to travel and not play golf, so to be able to sightsee and do all the touristy things. Definitely looking forward to that,” she added.

As taking time for herself and starting a family takes priority in Thompson’s life, there is one more thing that she would be focusing on after leaving the greens.

What’s another important retirement plan for Lexi Thompson? 

Lexi Thompson stands in her own league and is in every category. Whether you talk about on-course performances or her off-the-course practice, the LPGA Tour star makes it a point to be near perfect. In that bid, Thompson had started to frequent the gym twice every day and loved every single second of it.

In her off time the next year, she would be focusing more on that part. She hinted at the idea of sharing her drills and workout sessions on that app which would probably come out after she retires. Talking about her plans in May, she said, “I’m super into fitness. Hopefully, I’ll have my Lexi Fitness app up and going very soon. And just enjoying life.” Thompson hopes to have the app running by the end of this year.

The fitness app would be another way through which fans would be able to connect with Thompson when they would rarely see her on the pro golf scene. As it always has been the case, Thompson would most certainly be successful as she looks forward to being an instructor and enjoying her life apart from golf.