The 11-time LPGA Tour winner was a child prodigy, a major winner and one of the most popular golfers on the tour.
An emotional Thompson cited mental health and social media criticism in a news conference.LANCASTER, Pa. — Lexi Thompson has been among the most recognizable players in women’s golf since the former child prodigy turned professional in 2010, ascending as high as No. 2 in the world rankings. On Tuesday, the 11-time LPGA Tour winner made a startling announcement: She will retire from full-time competition at the end of the year.
At an emotional news conference during which she paused several times to wipe away tears, Thompson detailed her greatest joys from the game, saying that fans — particularly young girls — continue to inspire her even when she’s not playing her best. But she also revealed the anguish she deals with regularly on tour, including criticism on social media that at times turned personal.“Being out here can be a lot,” she said after her afternoon practice round. “It can be lonely.
Thompson also indicated her mental health played a role in a decision she had been contemplating for several months. In 2018, Thompson withdrew from the AIG Open and took a one-month leave from the LPGA Tour, writing on social media that she had not been feeling like herself for some time. She came back to win the season-ending Tour Championship and the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic, her last two victories on the LPGA Tour.
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