Paris Olympics 2024: Can Lexi Thompson Represent USA One Last Time Before Her Retirement?

“Ever since I found out that golf was going to be an Olympic sport, I was like, Let’s be there.” That was Lexi Thompson three years ago talking about 2016 when golf was added to the Olympics after more than a century. The 29-year-old has represented Team USA twice at the grandest stage. The 2024 Paris Olympics are likely to be the last shot of her career as she announced her retirement from the sport at the end of this season. But can she qualify before that? 

The Olympic Committee determines the final field based on the Rolex World Rankings. In addition, the organizers keep a separate Olympics Golf Ranking as well. Here is where the 11-time LPGA Tour winner stands. 

Lexi Thompson needs to turn things around quickly.

The top 15 players (more than four from a single country) automatically qualify for the Olympics. Additionally, two players outside can also join the ranks, provided their team doesn’t have two or more players within the top 15. 

Here is what US qualifying looks like at the moment. Nelly Korda has all but sealed her spot. Perched atop the leaderboard, she is followed by compatriot Lilia Vu. Rose Zhang is the third player inside the top 10 in the Olympics Golf Ranking. Whereas, currently, Megan Khang is holding onto the 15th spot. 

Lexi Thompson is currently ranked 54th in the Rolex World Ranking. Four missed cuts from six appearances haven’t helped her cause. The 11-time LPGA Tour winner has slipped almost fifty spots from a year ago. Thompson needs back-to-back top-10 finishes at the next four events; the Olympics will determine the field on June 24, a day after the KPMG PGA Championship. 

So, the 29-year-old needs to bring her mojo back fast. Preferably at the US Women’s Open, which slipped from her grasp three years ago when she finished at T2. A missed chance will mean much for Lexi Thompson, as she has repeatedly expressed her desire to represent the USA at the Olympics. 

The Olympics is the highest honor for Thompson

Golf was added to the Olympics in 2016. And Thompson has represented the Stars and Stripes on both occasions. She bagged a solo 19 in individual stroke play in Rio de Janeiro, and 33 in Tokyo. Talking about what it means to represent the nation at the Olympics, Lexi Thompson told Golf Monthly in 2021, “So it was always on my mind but I just want to represent my country so knowing that it was this year I was like, ‘Alright I want to be in Tokyo representing my country’. There’s no higher honour than that.” 

There is little doubt about her passion for and commitment to the Olympics. In 2016, after coming back from Rio de Janeiro, Lexi Thompson tattooed the five rings on the back of her wrist. Sharing a picture on her Instagram, the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Champion captioned, “So much meaning behind this tattoo, and it will always remind me of all my hard work. I will wear these rings with pride.” 

The Summer Olympics will kickstart on July 26, 2024. Le Golf National, the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, will welcome 120 male and female golfers. Women’s individual stroke play will tee off on August 7.