Lexi Thompson is wanting ahead to a break from the grind of full-time LPGA life.
Michael Williams
It’s 8:45 a.m. on a Tuesday in August at Panther Nationwide — a luxe, newly constructed personal enclave in Palm Seashore Gardens, Fla., with a championship course co-designed by Justin Thomas and Jack Nicklaus — and Lexi Thompson is already seated within the hair and make-up chair, prepping for a full day of capturing portraits, movies and sitting for a prolonged interview.
The event? A celebration — and retrospective — of a profession nicely performed. The 29-year-old, who lives 45 minutes southeast, in Delray Seashore, and is amongst a handful of top-tier execs to carry a membership at Panther, is looking it a profession on the finish of the 2024 LPGA season.
Why would one among America’s brightest stars grasp up her cleats at an age when most of the world’s greatest gamers are solely simply coming into their aggressive prime?
“I don’t assume there’s something actually for me to show,” Thompson says. “I’m perpetually grateful for having the ability to play golf for a dwelling. However lots of people don’t see the lonely occasions — going by the airport alone, going to the lodge alone with 4 or 5 luggage and performing, then being alone. Good or unhealthy, you don’t have somebody to share it with more often than not.”
Thompson’s craving for a break from the isolating grind of professional golf is comprehensible. She first entered the general public consciousness as a prodigious 12-year-old qualifier on the 2007 U.S. Girls’s Open, and he or she hasn’t missed a nationwide championship since. At 16, she gained her first LPGA title and efficiently petitioned the LPGA for membership. Extra wins adopted, together with her first and, up to now, solely main championship: the Kraft Nabisco Championship (now the Chevron Championship) in 2014.
Thompson — who grew up in close by Coral Springs in a family of aggressive golfers (each of her brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, have had modest professional careers) shepherded by her mother and father, Scott and Judy — was an American darling from the second she entered the professional scene, inspiring legions of younger followers along with her dazzling appears to be like, bombs off the tee and a seemingly infinite willingness to signal autographs and have interaction with followers.
“I’ve all the time simply wished to have the ability to give again to the sport, to go away it in a greater place,” she says. “And that’s hopefully what individuals look to me as — not solely a golfer however an incredible person who has given again, good or unhealthy day.”
Even within the wake of devastating heartbreaks at main championships — a four-shot penalty that derailed her in the course of the remaining spherical of the 2017 ANA Inspiration, a five-shot lead evaporating on the again 9 of the 2021 U.S. Girls’s Open, 4 back-nine bogeys to come back up quick on the 2022 KPMG — Thompson by no means overpassed her private mission to serve her followers and to assist elevate the ladies’s sport.
In our wide-ranging chat, she plumbs the depths of her disappointments and delivers a candid evaluation of the thrill and difficulties she’s endured in her life and profession. However whilst Thompson’s LPGA profession winds down, a brand new chapter awaits. And the longer term is shiny certainly.
Michael Williams
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GOLF: On the U.S. Girls’s Open in Might, you introduced that the 2024 LPGA season can be your final full season. Is that this a real retirement or simply scaling again?
Lexi Thompson: I’m positively stepping away from a full-time golf schedule, so I gained’t be on the market each single week or back-to-back weeks. Simply taking a bit of time away from the sport and making extra time for myself and my household and my family members.
G: How have you ever felt since making that announcement?
LT: A mixture of feelings. It’s been on my thoughts for fairly a while, however to have it on the market within the open that week was very particular. And I had my household there to help me. It was a variety of tears, a variety of feelings. However I’ve felt the love from all people round me — my followers, household, pals — so it’s meant the world.
G: You’re 29 years previous. You’ve been competing on the LPGA Tour as a professional because you have been 16. Has retirement been one thing you’ve been interested by for a very long time? Did you all the time have an finish date in thoughts?
LT: As an athlete beginning your profession, you by no means take into consideration the top. You by no means wish to put a useless timeline on one thing. You’re simply having fun with the method of studying and experiencing the journey. However I might say I’ve considered it for a couple of years now. It’s positively been on my thoughts, seeing that there’s extra to life — having a household, attending to expertise journey, attending to see locations and luxuriate in life extra. I’ve identified golf my complete life — I began tournaments after I was seven. And coaching my complete life, too, so I’ve actually not identified any totally different. So, to have the ability to give myself the reduction that there’s gentle on the finish of the tunnel… After all, I’ve loved each little bit of it, however there’s been a variety of downs. There’s been a variety of issues which have been thrown at me on the golf course that I by no means thought would [have been], and it’s harm. It’s put me by some actually down occasions that I by no means thought I might expertise and [did] not know the way to cope with. However whether or not it’s in sports activities or not, all of us have our issues that we undergo.
G: There are nonetheless a couple of months left on this LPGA season. Would successful once more change your thoughts or make any distinction in any respect?
LT: It wouldn’t make a distinction. However, like I mentioned, I’m simply stepping away from a full-time schedule. I would tee it up a couple of extra occasions subsequent 12 months, however I’m going to take time for myself, time away and, if I be ok with it, much more life to be lived. And if I don’t, and I nonetheless wish to tee it up and play in entrance of my followers, I’ll.
G: What does taking time for your self seem like?
LT: Simply having high quality time with my household, my partner, and simply having fun with that point for me — attending to expertise life, journey, take up one other sport or one other pastime. It’s time to have the ability to go to mattress at evening and never fear concerning the subsequent day and the way I’m going to carry out and the way I’m going to really feel — or how individuals are going to see me — due to it. Simply giving my thoughts that psychological shutdown and feeling okay with myself; not having to carry out and be this good particular person — that’s what I’m in all probability wanting ahead to essentially the most.
G: Are you married?
LT: No. I’m not married.
G: Simply checking. Thought there may be a secret marriage to disclose.
LT: No, no, no. I’m in a relationship however not married. Hopefully, in the future.
G: Let’s do a fast résumé recap. You will have 11 LPGA wins, together with a serious. Six, quickly to be seven Solheim Cup appearances, two Olympics. You latterly competed on the PGA Tour, coming this shut to creating the minimize. Do you are feeling happy with that record of accomplishments?
LT: I positively do. After all, with the period of time and coaching I’ve put into my life and my profession, I all the time really feel like I ought to accomplish extra. However I all the time should remind myself to learn that record, as a result of, being an athlete, typically you by no means assume you’re ok as a result of, in golf, you lose greater than you win.
G: You talked about how far more to life there’s than golf. You have been homeschooled after elementary college, and also you didn’t go to varsity. You performed your first U.S. Girls’s Open at age 12, and also you have been taking part in as an expert at age 16. While you look again, do you are feeling you missed out on something?
LT: I’ve gotten that query fairly a bit, and it’s robust as a result of I don’t really feel that I’ve missed out as a result of I additionally really feel like I’ve gained a lot expertise, whether or not it’s from assembly individuals, attending to journey the world at 14, 15 years previous. I’ve gotten to expertise a life that folks dream of, so I’m grateful for that. Do I really feel like I’ve missed out on the faculty expertise and going to highschool? After all, sure. However, large image, no. I knew golf is what I wished to do on the age of 12, and I knew the one approach I might play towards the perfect was if I sacrificed going to highschool.
G: You talked about how glamorous your life can look from the surface and the way troublesome it may be within the behind-the-scenes moments. And also you’ve endured some agonizing defeats on the majors lately: the ANA in 2017, the 2021 U.S. Girls’s Open at Olympic, the 2022 KPMG at Congressional. How did these experiences form you?
LT: I nonetheless take into consideration them fairly a bit as a result of they have been large moments in my profession. I realized so much about myself and the way sturdy I’m to have the ability to get by these issues. However, yeah, I’m not going to take a seat right here and say, “Oh, I realized a lot,” and that’s all. They harm, particularly ANA. [Ed. note: After holding a two-shot lead with six holes to play in the final round, Thompson was assessed a four-shot penalty for incorrectly replacing her ball during the third round — an infraction that was called in by a TV viewer. She ultimately lost the tournament in a playoff.] I believe I locked myself within the room after it occurred. I cried the entire evening. I didn’t need anyone close to me. It was like my dream was simply ripped proper from my arms, as a result of that was a match I all the time imagined I might win. So, to have that taken away for one thing that I didn’t even notice [I did], that I might by no means do, after which to be referred to as a cheater and a choker for all these incidents, I’m like, Why do I deserve this? I’m out right here busting my butt, attempting to win these tournaments and are available out on the highest, with all of the coaching and practising I’ve accomplished. And to not have the ability to both come down the stretch with a win — and to listen to the issues individuals say — it’s simply, no one deserves it. I battle with it to this present day, and I’ve [sought] a variety of assist for it, which I believe all people ought to do as a result of, within the second, typically you’re like, Oh, I simply wish to cope with it alone. However it’s in all probability the worst factor you are able to do. You need to encompass your self with the people who love you and have their help to get by these robust occasions, as a result of going by it alone is the worst doable factor. Lots of the time I do. I battle alone.
Getty Photos
G: Who do you flip to in these occasions? What in the end pulls you from the abyss?
LT: Often household. I all the time return to my household, as a result of they’ve been with me from the beginning, there to [tell me] that they love me it doesn’t matter what occurs, and to be there for me by these down occasions. However it’s arduous to listen to typically, since you really feel so down that you simply don’t know the way to let anyone in. I believe it’s what I battle with even to this present day — placing up a entrance that I am okay and that I’m this good particular person. However even behind my smile, typically I’m in a lot ache that no one ever sees, due to these down occasions and never getting the outcomes I need. It’s unhappy, [because] it’s only a sport. However, in actuality, it’s been my life.
G: You’ve been open about coping with issues like body-image points, social media bullying, the despair of match disappointments. You’ve mentioned that phrases harm and will be arduous to disregard. Do you typically want that social media simply didn’t exist?
LT: 100%. I like reaching out to my little followers [through social media], to women that wish to play the sport, however for every part else, it’s unhappy. I want it by no means existed.
G: How do you ignore it?
LT: I don’t. That’s the issue. I do see the feedback, and if one thing unhealthy occurs at a match it’s, like, that’s all they submit as a result of that’s all they wish to see. So, yeah, I prefer to take a break from it. Once I can go on trip and simply flip off my cellphone I’m like, See you.
G: Athletes are beginning to speak concerning the significance of psychological well being much more. You have been one of many first golfers to vocalize your want for a break from social media.
LT: I believe individuals see psychological well being and assume, Oh, in the event you’re struggling, that’s a weak spot. I struggled with that as nicely. I used to be like, I don’t need individuals to assume that I’m hurting. Or, They’re going to say that I’m weak. However there’s solely a lot you’ll be able to cope with. You will have to have the ability to share these feelings, whether or not it’s with household, pals or any person you search assist with. It’s so necessary, and it’s not a weak spot; it’s an indication of power that you simply go and get this assist, that you simply wish to be higher and also you wish to stay your greatest life.
G: One of many criticisms you’ve needed to face over the course of your profession is the way you cope with stress. Has that been truthful?
LT: With the quantity that every one of us [pro golfers] undergo, and what we’ve given and sacrificed for the game, I don’t assume it’s truthful for anyone who can’t do it themselves to query us. We’re on the market placing ourselves in that place willingly. We don’t deserve any criticism.
G: Is there a time that you simply felt the stress was an excessive amount of for you?
LT: Not a selected time. I really feel like in all probability extra [when] I used to be ranked the best in my profession, simply being a high American. It’s a variety of stress to cope with. You shut it off as a lot as you’ll be able to, however it’s robust.
G: May you empathize a bit with Rory McIlroy, given the criticism he endured over the quick putts he missed on the U.S. Open?
LT: Yeah. It’s brutal. I didn’t get to look at that stay, however I heard about it, after which that’s all my social was. And I’m like, Are you critical? This man is likely one of the greatest on the earth. And to deal with these two putts? Give the man a break.
Michael Williams
G: Has golf all the time been pleasing for you? Clearly, we’re speaking about some robust occasions, however, within the scheme of issues, has the enjoyment outweighed the grind? Or is that a part of why that is your remaining 12 months?
LT: Sure, positively that final half. I believe it was much more pleasing after I was youthful, as a result of it’s new to me, proper? It’s what I grew up doing, and what I’ve wished to do. To go on the market, observe, have a gaggle of pals, have my brothers on the market — it’s enjoyable. In skilled golf, you’re a lone survivor, and it’s your job, proper? We’re 130, 140 girls on the market taking part in to win each week. And it’s as aggressive as any trade is. Some days are extra pleasing than others, however, yeah, it’s so much doing it day in, day trip ever because you have been seven.
G: What brings you essentially the most pleasure in life?
LT: Time with my household — after I get to go residence and be round them, put my sweats on, put my saggy shirt on, no make-up, hair up. That’s the time I take pleasure in essentially the most as a result of they know the true me.
G: You’ve been a fan favourite because you burst on the professional golf scene. You’ve all the time made signing autographs and interesting along with your followers a precedence. Even in darkish moments, with tears streaming down your face, you’ve signed. The place does that come from?
LT: My mother and father elevating me the best way they did. The way in which I have a look at it, signing autographs is, good or unhealthy day — these individuals got here out to help me. Good or unhealthy day, they got here out to take 5, six hours of their day to come back out and watch me golf. The least I can do is signal an autograph, take an image. Typically I’ve had tears rolling down my face, they usually see that. I’m not afraid to point out that, as a result of that’s me. That’s me hurting. However, additionally, it’s me smiling and signing autographs too. I wish to make individuals’s day. I do know it goes a good distance of their hearts.
G: Let’s fake we are able to look 5 years into the longer term. What do you see your self doing?
LT: At 34, I might positively prefer to be settled down, married and doubtless have a child. That’s my primary. Household’s such an enormous a part of my life, and that’s all the time been one thing that I’ve wished. In order that’s on the high of my record. Aside from that, I’m about to launch my Lexi Health app. Health is a big ardour of mine, so to offer individuals an thought of the exercises I’m going by may assist them. Hopefully, we’ll department out into the golf facet of issues on the app too. Possibly that’ll open up a door for opening up my very own fitness center in the future to maintain me busy. I nonetheless could do charity golf outings, however who is aware of. I’ve simply obtained to take it daily.
G: Are you most enthusiastic about something on this subsequent chapter? Sleeping in, possibly?
LT: Sure, please. I’m wanting ahead to that essentially the most, not having to be someplace each time I get up; simply to have the ability to undergo my days with no matter I wish to do. I’ve identified nothing however, All proper, get up at 6 a.m., prepare by 6:30 a.m., be there for an hour, go to the golf course for 4 or 5 hours. I’m simply wanting ahead to not having to hurry to be someplace or to reply to any person. Simply dwelling a standard, laid-back life.
