Lexi Thompson has been a cornerstone of women’s golf for over a decade. Turning pro at 15 in 2010 after qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open at just 12, she quickly became a powerhouse: 11 LPGA victories, including the 2014 major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship (now Chevron), multiple Solheim Cup heroics, and a reputation for booming drives and fearless play. At her peak, Thompson was a fan favorite—approachable, resilient, and a role model for young golfers worldwide.
But in May 2024, ahead of the U.S. Women’s Open, Thompson dropped a bombshell: she would step away from a full-time LPGA schedule at season’s end. Citing mental health struggles, the loneliness of tour life, and a desire for balance, her emotional announcement was misconstrued by many as full retirement. Headlines screamed “Lexi Thompson Retires at 29,” tributes poured in, and events honored her with “Lexi Thompson Day.” Yet Thompson never used the word “retire”—she specified no more full-time play.
This nuance sparked “retirement chaos.” As she returned in 2025 for a limited schedule—around 13 events—confusion and criticism mounted. LPGA pro Mel Reid called the announcement mishandled, saying it created unnecessary drama and that Thompson should have quietly reduced her starts. Fans and media echoed the sentiment, branding it “self-centered” and confusing, with headlines repeatedly asking, “Didn’t Lexi retire?” Thompson fired back on social media: “Retired from full time… get it right,” and later admitted the wording fueled misconceptions.
The backlash stung, amplifying the very pressures she sought to escape. Social media scrutiny, long a burden for Thompson, intensified. Yet 2025 became her quiet rebuttal.
Playing selectively, Thompson thrived with renewed joy and lower expectations. Highlights included a runner-up at the Dow Championship, multiple top-10s and top-15s (like at the Chevron Championship, KPMG Women’s PGA, Founders Cup, and Meijer LPGA Classic), and contention in majors. She earned over $750,000, finished around 52nd in the CME Globe (qualifying her for most 2026 events), and returned to the CME Group Tour Championship—the site of her emotional 2024 farewell—for a solid showing.
Freed from the grind of 20+ events, Thompson embraced life off-course: getting engaged to Max Provost, spending time with family and her dog Leo (her “secret weapon”), and prioritizing mental health. “I’m just taking it one day at a time,” she said, emphasizing enjoyment over obligation.
At 30, Thompson is proving the critics wrong on her terms. The reduced schedule has revived her competitive fire, delivering flashes of vintage Lexi—high, spinning approach shots and clutch performances—while silencing doubts about her “chaos.” She’s not fully retired; she’s evolved. As whispers grow about potential Solheim Cup involvement in 2026 and selective starts ahead (including a March wedding on the horizon), Thompson’s story shifts from farewell to fresh chapter.
The haters questioned her decision, but Lexi’s 2025 resurgence speaks volumes: sometimes stepping back is the boldest way forward. She’s happier, healthier, and still contending—proving that true strength lies in rewriting your own script.
