The LPGA Tour is having a mass exodus this year with a number of players retiring. 2024 has already seen the likes of Scotland’s Catriona Matthew, South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu, Angela Stanford, and a few other names have their final swing. The conclusion of the final round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Naples, Florida added one more name to the list- New Jersey’s Marina Alex.

Alex didn’t want to make a big deal of her retirement from the LPGA Tour. In fact, very few were aware of it before it was announced on Sunday’s NBC broadcast. Some of her close friends and family showed up in t-shirts featuring action shots of Marina throughout her Tour career in various stages of walk, swing, and putt. Once it was official, tributes poured in for the player who spent 11 years on the Tour.

With the CME Group Tour Championship as her last event, Alex officially stepped away as a full-time member of the LPGA Tour. And what a year it was. With back-to-back top-10 finishes in Asia and nearly collecting a third LPGA win at the TOTO Japan Classic, it seemed like Alex would head into the 2025 season with full force. But she had other plans.

“It’s always hard to say goodbye,” Alex shared. “I know this is what I want, and it’s the right decision for me right now. That doesn’t change the fact that this is a life that I built for the last 11 years out here, and golf has been my life since I’ve been a kid. We’re about to enter a new world of a new identity. It’s great, but change is never easy.”

Looking back, Alex had a remarkable career, one that many could only dream of. She joined the Tour in 2013, and in her 11 years she won twice, claiming the FIR HILLS SERI PAK Championship in 2022 and the Portland Classic in 2018. She also represented her country at the 2019 U.S. Solheim Cup, earning two points in her first and only appearance at the prestigious event. Over her career, she earned more than $5 million, with $719,855 of that coming in the 2024 season alone. Impressive, right? Maybe that’s why it was so hard for Alex to say goodbye to such a great career.

Her final competitive round was a 6-under-par 66 that left her in a tie with Jennifer Kupcho, France’s Celine Boutier, and South Korea’s Jin Young Ko. Alex also thanked those who supported her as she choked up while bidding farewell.

“Friends and family, my childhood coaches, my godfather who was my putting coach for the longest time, the head pro from my home club in New Jersey who also lives in Florida now, they’ve seen the beginning and now the end. It’s kind of sweet,” she said. Alex starred at Wayne Hills High School and won two straight NJSIAA girls’ championships. She was a two-time Record Athlete of the Week in 2007-2008. She also won the 2010 SEC title at Vanderbilt before earning her LPGA Tour card in 2014.

However, despite bidding farewell to the full-time grind of the LPGA, she hasn’t closed the door completely on golf. Just like Thompson, who may make her appearance in the future as well, Alex has also hinted that she might return for a special event. “Never say never. If there is an opportunity to try and qualify for a US Open or play a US Open I probably will, but as far as playing out here, you know, this chapter has closed.”

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Alex paid tribute to the sport and her LPGA family. Reflecting on her 25+ years in golf, she spoke about the love she felt for the game, despite its challenges. She acknowledged the deep connections golf gave her—career, friendships, and the peace of knowing she gave her absolute best. “The one word that keeps coming back to me as I’ve reflected on this last week of my career on LPGA is oddly enough LOVE,” she wrote.

She also shared how the support she received during her final week at the CME Group Tour Championship made all the challenges worth it: “But when I was playing my last week at CME, I was overwhelmed by the amount of love I received from my peers, my incredible friends, my team, my sponsors, and of course my family. In that moment, it felt like all hard work, sacrifices, and difficult moments were worth it.”

As another name joins the list of retired LPGA players, it’s clear Alex’s departure has left a mark on the entire golf community. After she dropped the post with such an overwhelming caption, many of her peers, including those who have shared the stage with her for years, expressed heartfelt congratulations and admiration for her remarkable career.

Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson & others bid farewell to Alex

Lexi Thompson, an 11-time LPGA winner, commented on Alex’s post: “Congrats!! Happy for you, enjoy the next chapter ❤️👏🏼.” Interestingly, Thompson also announced her retirement back in May, marking 2024 as her last season as a full-time professional golfer. Thompson has also played her final round at the CME Group Tour Championship and understands what it means for Marina Alex.

Nelly Korda was another name who commented on Alex’s post, writing, “❤️❤️❤️❤️ will miss you!!!” Other members like Jenny Shin, Carlota Ciganda, and Sarah Kemp also took to social media to celebrate Alex’s career.

Shin expressed, “I’m definitely going to miss you, congratulations on a successful career, Marina. You are going to thrive in your next chapter of life.” Carlota Ciganda also cheered for Alex writing, “Congrats my friend 👏👏👏 You can be very proud of your career and the person you are, one of the nicest people on tour! We will miss you but excited for your future! All the best always❤️”

Meanwhile, Sarah Kemp commented, “Congrats on an awesome career mate! It’s always been a pleasure playing with you. Enjoy the next chapter and hope to cross paths again soon!”

Apart from her two wins on the LPGA Tour Alex also recorded a best finish in a Major of T9 at the 2014 Women’s Open and played for the US team at the 2019 Solheim Cup. She looked solid this season with her performances before the surprise retirement. However, she revealed that she had come close to retiring last year.

“I’m proud of sticking it out probably maybe a little bit longer than I mentally wanted to if I’m being honest. I was really down in the dumps at the end of last year and I almost contemplated not coming back.” She then mentioned glad to continue and gets to leave while at the top of her game.

“Golf doesn’t owe you anything. To be able to at least get a little bit of feeling like it’s the best golf I’ve ever played and I’m leaving with that, I’m really thankful for it,” she added.

One of Alex’s closest friends on the LPGA Tour, Michelle Wie West, shared her deep emotions with a simple “AHHHHHH 😭😭” expressing her anguish. Their friendship has been well-documented over the years, and their bond goes beyond just playing golf together. Whether it’s being a shoulder during retirement or celebrating Wie West’s wedding, the two have covered many milestones together.

Other players like Lydia Ko, Tisha Alyn, and Pernilla Lindberg also sent their goodbyes, each expressing their admiration and wishing Alex well in her next chapter.

While Alex will be greatly missed by her fans and peers, her legacy on the LPGA Tour is secure. The golf world will certainly feel her absence, but her journey is far from over. And we can’t wait to see what she does next.