St. Andrews making Lexi Thompson smile amid looming retirement

On the U.S. Ladies’s Open in Might, an emotional Lexi Thompson introduced her retirement from professional golf, efficient on the finish of the season.

Since then, she has performed in 5 occasions, together with her greatest end coming on the Meijer Basic, a tie for second. However now she is in Scotland, enjoying in what might be the final main championship of her profession on the AIG Ladies’s Open. Thompson didn’t shut the door on that chance, however she didn’t rule out enjoying in future majors both. Regardless, the 29-year-old Thompson has smiled far and extensive on the Dwelling of Golf this week, as she feels assured in her determination.

“I haven’t had any doubt,” Thompson mentioned at St. Andrews.

“I’m very content material with my determination, and I feel that can make me happiest inside.”

Thompson added that she felt a major weight fall off her shoulders after her announcement in Lancaster, the place followers, fellow gamers, and event officers alike embraced her for making such a tough determination public.

“I didn’t actually know what to anticipate or assume, what individuals would consider my determination or my announcement,” Thompson mentioned.

Picture by Oisin Keniry/R&A by way of Getty Photos

“Everyone goes by way of issues, and lots of people don’t learn about it. It’s only a matter of how nicely you cover it and the way open you need to be about it. I feel it’s essential to share these emotions, whether or not it’s with shut family members or be open about it with someone that you simply need to search assist with. It’s not one thing that you need to hold inside. You shouldn’t be afraid of sharing the way you genuinely really feel.”

Thompson has performed golf underneath the brightest lights as a younger teenager. Followers and media alike have scrutinized her profession ever since, which sadly comes with a wholesome dose of negativity. Thompson touched on these unlucky circumstances when she made her determination public in Might.

“Being out right here could be a lot. It may be lonely. Sorry if I get emotional. I mentioned I wasn’t going to,” Thompson mentioned at Lancaster Nation Membership, preventing again tears.

“Lots of people don’t notice what we undergo as an expert athlete. I’ll be the final one to say to throw me a pity celebration. That’s the very last thing I would like. We’re doing what we love. We’re attempting our greatest each single day. You recognize, we’re not good. We’re people. Phrases harm. It’s laborious to beat generally.”

However this week at St. Andrews, Thompson didn’t contact on that. As an alternative, she targeted on the positives. She needs to get married and lift a household. She needs to journey to South Africa and Greece and do all of the “touristy issues” when visiting locations world wide.

Thompson may also launch her Lexi Health app within the coming weeks, a brand new endeavor she is enthusiastic about. But she won’t hold the golf equipment up altogether.

“I feel golf is such a tremendous recreation for bringing households collectively, bringing individuals collectively, and constructing these relationships. I feel it’s tremendous essential,” Thompson added Wednesday.

Picture by Luke Walker/Getty Photos

“So no, it’s not one thing I might simply cease. Household wouldn’t cease that. However professionally, I don’t plan on having a household and enjoying skilled golf.”

That mentioned, Thompson nonetheless has a event at St. Andrews this week—a full-circle second since her first AIG Ladies’s Open begin got here on the Outdated Course in 2013. She missed the lower that week. However Thompson continues to dream huge, even together with her retirement looming.

“[A win] would imply the world to me, actually. On the Dwelling of Golf? It doesn’t get a lot better than that. And being a significant championship, it might be a dream come true,” Thompson mentioned.

“However there’s a lot golf to be performed, and weeks like this, you simply have to remain within the second and take one shot at a time, be affected person, and know there might be dangerous breaks or dangerous photographs. You need to get by way of them with a constructive angle and carry on going. However yeah, that may be a dream of mine.”

It doesn’t matter what occurs this week, Thompson will proceed to smile, understanding she feels snug together with her profession and life trajectory. However a Thompson victory would conclude an unimaginable journey and ship her off into retirement with the largest smile of all of them.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.