There’s nothing like coming home to find your loved ones waiting for you, right? And sometimes, those loved ones are our furry friends. Lexi Thompson, who’s officially retired now, finally has all the time to spend with her havapoo dog, Leo—her little bundle of joy. If you follow her on Instagram, you’ve probably seen him make plenty of appearances. 

Leo’s been a huge support for Thompson, especially when life got tough. Back in 2018, Thompson had a rough year. She had to skip the Women’s British Open after a series of personal setbacks, including learning her mom had uterine cancer and losing her paternal grandmother. It was a lot to handle all at once, so Thompson decided to take a step back for her mental health.

When she came back, though, she came back strong, with some big wins under her belt. And a lot of that? She credits Leo. As she puts it, “When I’m home I love hanging out with my family and friends, but when I’m on the road I go back and hang with my dog. He is my best friend, and he saved my life, and he’s just amazing, so I’m very grateful that he came into my life.”

From her social media, it looks like it’s been about six years now since Leo has been part of Thompson’s life. The LPGA star is an animal lover. In an interview with Golf Digest, she revealed “I love my dogs, and I have a cat too. It’s just great to have them to come home to after a long day of practice. They always make me happy and keep me grounded. They’re a big part of my life, and I couldn’t imagine not having them.”

Thompson is a big advocate for animal rights. She even appeared in campaigns to promote pet adoption. Thompson’s not alone—lots of golfers have a soft spot for their furry friends…

Which other golfers are pet lovers?

The World No. 1, Nelly Korda, is a proud cat mom to her feline companion, Rafi. But she’s not the only one in the Korda family with a soft spot for animals. Her sister, Jessica Korda, is all about dogs. She’s got a Goldendoodle named Charlie, who’s often featured on her Instagram and even makes an appearance on custom golf towels she uses during competition.

Lydia Ko is another LPGA star who shares her life with a four-legged friend. She’s a proud mom to a Shiba Inu named Kai, who’s not just a cute companion but also a big support to her outside of golf. Tiger Woods is a big animal lover too. Woods has three dogs, and he’s often seen enjoying quality time with them.

Then there’s Cove, the beloved black Labrador who lives with Brooks Koepka and his wife, Jena Sims. Fans absolutely adore Cove, and she makes plenty of appearances on their Instagram accounts. It’s clear that golfers share a special bond with their pets, and these furry companions bring love and support that extends far beyond the golf course.