“It’s OK to not be OK,” wrote a mentally exhausted Lexi Thompson back in May on her Instagram handle. She did so while alluding to her retirement from the sport of golf. But did any particular event accelerate her decision to say goodbye to the sport? Well, even Jessica Marksbury was curious and asked her the same recently.

The athlete was spotted in an interview with GOLF.com where she explained the reasoning behind her decision to retire. “I’ve thought about it for a few years now,” replied Thompson to the query. “It’s definitely been on my mind. I wouldn’t say one particular event in general.” Interestingly, she had divulged in her retirement post on her social media handle how her life has been a constant whirlwind of attention, scrutiny, and pressure ever since she was 12 years old.

She also disclosed how the idea of spending her time doing other things further helped in her decision. The 29-year-old reasoned, “I guess seeing and seeing that there’s more to life, having a family, getting to experience travel and getting to see places, and enjoy life more.” She had hinted at the same back in August ahead of the 2024 AIG Women’s Open, adding how her No. 1 priority next year while turning 30 would be to settle down, get married, and have a family.

Lexi Thompson also recounted her experience with the sport. “I’ve known Golf my whole life, ever since I was really seven,” said the pro as she recalled the time she started touring. “And then training my whole life too. So I’ve really not known anything different.” The golfer then expressed how relieved she is to know that “there is light at the end of the tunnel,” while hinting at the many unwanted and hurtful things that were thrown at her on the golf course, which she never imagined. “It can be exhausting,” the pro had said back in her Instagram post, “to maintain a smile on the outside while grappling with struggles on the inside.”

It appears the life of golfer Lexi Thompson was filled with battles and struggles on the inside, leading the professional to find solace in other things. Even so, she made sure to convey how much she enjoyed the sport despite mental health and loneliness being major factors driving her decision.

Lexi Thompson and her mental health struggles on the LPGA Tour

“Being out here, it can be a lot. It can be lonely,” said Thompson during her retirement speech ahead of the major, as she emotionally added, “They don’t realize a lot of what we go through as a professional athlete.” She also called attention to how “words hurt” while alluding to the process of getting criticized despite putting in your efforts to win.

The golfer also added how much “loneliness” affects a golfer on the circuit. “A lot of people don’t see the lonely times of going to the airport,… hotel alone with four or five bags,” revealed the athlete while mentioning how people only want to see the glamorous side of things. Thompson also made sure to point out how she would be alone most of the time without anyone to share her happiness or sadness with; “You can text or call somebody but having that person by your side makes a world of a difference.”

“So it’s hard. I will say, yes, I’ve struggled with it,” said the pro, “I don’t think there’s somebody out here that hasn’t. It’s just a matter of how well you hide it, which is very sad.” One thing is for sure; Lexi Thompson would be taking better care of herself from now on. Her fans, although disappointed not to see her on the course, would be truly relieved at her future plans!