In the high-stakes world of professional golf, where every swing and announcement can ripple through the sport like a stone in a pond, Lexi Thompson’s career has long been a saga of prodigious talent, unyielding pressure, and now, a retirement that refuses to neatly fit into any box. At just 30 years old, the American phenom—once the youngest player to ever qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12—finds herself at the center of a debate that’s as much about perception as it is about personal choice. Her decision to step back from full-time LPGA play in 2024 was meant to signal a graceful exit from the grind, but a year later, with Thompson still teeing it up selectively in 2025, the narrative has twisted into one of confusion and criticism. “Didn’t she retire?” has become the refrain echoing from fans, fellow pros, and pundits alike, leaving the 11-time LPGA winner defending her boundaries in a game she helped redefine.
## The Announcement That Started It All
It was May 2024, at the U.S. Women’s Open in Lancaster, Pennsylvania—the very tournament where Thompson’s storied career began as a wide-eyed 12-year-old qualifier. Standing before a packed press room, the then-29-year-old delivered an emotional statement that stunned the golf world. “While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time,” she said, her voice steady but her eyes betraying the weight of the moment. Thompson spoke candidly about the mental toll of nearly two decades in the spotlight: the relentless scrutiny, the sting of losses in a sport where you win far less often than you lose, and the invisible battles with anxiety that had shadowed her highs and lows.
She detailed the pressures that came with being “Lexi”—the mononymous star who turned pro at 15, won her first LPGA event at 16, and captured a major at 19. “It can be exhausting to maintain a smile on the outside while grappling with struggles on the inside,” Thompson admitted. The announcement was framed as her farewell to full-time competition on the LPGA Tour, a decision rooted in a need for balance after 18 grueling years. The LPGA and USGA amplified the moment with tributes, including a video montage that explicitly labeled it her “retirement.” Tournaments even honored her with “Lexi Thompson Days,” as if the curtain was already falling.
But here’s where the plot thickens: Thompson never uttered the word “retire.” In her own words, shared via social media and interviews, she was simply “stepping away from a full-time schedule.” It was a subtle distinction, one that allowed for flexibility in a career she wasn’t ready to abandon entirely. “I realized there’s more to life than just professional golf,” she later told Golf Monthly, emphasizing her desire to explore new passions while keeping a toe in the game she loved. Yet, in the rush of headlines and heartfelt farewells, that nuance was lost. The golf world mourned the end of an era, and Thompson became a symbol of burnout in women’s sports.
## A Selective Return: 2025’s Surprising Schedule
Fast-forward to December 2025, and the confusion has only deepened. Thompson has laced up her spikes for 13 events this year—a far cry from the back-to-back marathons of her full-time days, but enough to raise eyebrows. She kicked off 2025 at the season-opening major, the Chevron Championship, where she stormed into contention with a strong opening round, reminding everyone why she’s still a force. A tied 14th finish there was followed by flashes of her old brilliance: a runner-up at the Meijer LPGA Classic via playoff heartbreak, and a solid T19 at the CME Group Tour Championship to cap the year.
Her schedule has been deliberate—no consecutive starts, plenty of breathing room for off-course pursuits like charity work and family time. At the U.S. Women’s Open this summer—ironically, the site of her original announcement—she made her fifth appearance of the season, finishing tied for 14th despite the emotional freight. “It’s not like I’m just out here to show face,” she fired back in a post-round interview, her frustration palpable. “I never used the word retire; I said not a full-time schedule because I’m not sure how much I will play. Just taking it one at a time.”
The results paint a picture of a golfer rediscovering joy amid the rust of part-time play. Missed cuts at majors like the U.S. Women’s Open and CPKC Women’s Open were offset by competitive weekends elsewhere, suggesting the lighter load has reignited her fire rather than dimmed it. Thompson has hinted at a very sparse 2026 slate, perhaps dipping into select events for the thrill rather than obligation. “Big picture, I probably shouldn’t have said that I was stepping away because people thought I was retiring,” she reflected at the Meijer Classic. Yet, for a player who’s endured wrist injuries, media storms, and the loneliness of elite competition, this hybrid approach feels like self-preservation, not indecision.
## The Backlash: Peers Weigh In on the ‘Messy Narrative’
The ambiguity hasn’t sat well with everyone, particularly within the LPGA ranks. In July 2025, on the podcast *With Mel and Kira*, veteran Mel Reid— a one-time LPGA winner and four-time Solheim Cup stalwart—didn’t hold back. “Listen, I’m probably going to get slammed for this, but… I don’t think she necessarily went about announcing her retirement from full-time play the right way,” Reid said. “If she could do it again, she would, because it’s very confusing for a lot of people. If you’re not going to play a full schedule, just don’t.” Reid, who praised Thompson’s impact as a child star, argued the high-profile presser created a “messy narrative” that left fans scratching their heads every time Thompson popped up in a field. “I thought she was retiring, and I think a lot of other people did.”
Reid’s comments struck a chord, amplifying a chorus of quiet frustrations. Why the fanfare if she was just dialing back? Why not fade naturally into fewer starts, addressing questions as they arose? Thompson has faced the heat head-on, repeatedly clarifying her stance in fiery social media posts and pressers. “AND I’m not sure how many times I’ll have to repeat this, but I never used the word retire,” she wrote in June, underscoring the media’s role in the misfire. The backlash, she admitted, stings—but it’s also a reminder of the pedestal she’s occupied since adolescence.
Not all feedback has been critical, though. Enter PGA Tour star Max Homa, who jumped to Thompson’s defense on the *We Need a Fourth* podcast in December 2025. Dismissing the naysayers, Homa invoked his “corporate years” theory: after grinding for nearly two decades, anyone deserves a soft landing. “She’s been in the pressure cooker since she was 12,” he said, validating her right to redefine success on her terms. Homa’s support, unexpected from the men’s side, highlighted a broader empathy for the mental health conversations Thompson has championed—conversations that made her retirement feel like a watershed moment for the sport.
## Beyond the Fairways: A Legacy in Flux
At its core, the brouhaha over Thompson’s “retirement” exposes the rigid binaries we impose on athletes: all-in or all-out, hero or has-been. For Thompson, it’s neither. She’s carving a path that’s authentically hers—competing when the spark ignites, stepping away when it flickers. Her openness about mental health has destigmatized the struggles of pro sports, inspiring a generation to prioritize well-being over wins. As she eyes a lighter 2026, perhaps with whispers of a full exit sooner than later, one thing is clear: Lexi Thompson isn’t done shaping women’s golf. She’s just rewriting the final chapter, confusion and all.
In a sport that thrives on precision, her imprecise goodbye has sparked necessary dialogue. Whether it’s a semi-retirement, a sabbatical, or something undefined, Thompson’s choice reminds us that even legends get to evolve. And if that means a few more birdies—and a few more questions—along the way, so be it. The fairway ahead is hers to navigate.
