Lexi Thompson announces retirement from professional golf

Lexi Thompson, a professional golfer, is retiring from full-time competition this year. She has had a successful career known for her strong playing style, popularity among young fans, and some challenging moments in major tournaments. Thompson, who is only 29 years old, will be participating in her 18th US Women’s Open this week, showing that she started her career at a very young age. Thompson began her golf journey at the age of 12 when she qualified for the 2007 US Women’s Open, becoming the youngest player to do so at that time. Throughout her career, she won 15 times on the LPGA Tour, with her most notable victory being the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2014 when she was 19. Despite her successes, she also faced setbacks, like being penalized in a major tournament for a rules violation and losing a significant lead in another major. Growing up playing golf with her brothers, who also became professional golfers, Thompson was known for her powerful playing style. Last year, she even participated in a PGA Tour event in Las Vegas. Thompson expressed that being a professional athlete can be challenging and lonely, but having a supportive circle of people around her helped her through tough times. Thompson's decision to retire at a young age has been met with mixed emotions from fans and fellow players. While some are sad to see her leave the sport, many acknowledge her impactful career and wish her the best in her future endeavors. Thompson reflected on her golfing journey, expressing gratitude for the experiences and opportunities the sport has given her, and she looks forward to exploring new interests outside of golf.