THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS | Lexi Thompson has fulfilled a number of roles throughout her nearly two decades on the professional golf scene. From the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12 in 2007 to consistent LPGA winner to major champion to the American face of women’s professional golf.
She added another role to her dossier at last week’s Chevron Championship, the first LPGA major of the year: part-time star.
When Thompson announced her retirement from full-time professional play at age 29 last May, citing mental health struggles and loneliness on the tour as factors in her decision, most took her at her word and rightfully applauded her stellar career. It included 11 LPGA victories, including this major in 2014, when it was called the Kraft Nabisco Championship and was played at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.
But Thompson was back in top form last week in sometimes stormy, sometimes sunny Southeast Texas, shooting a second-round 67 at the Club at Carlton Woods to leap into the top 10. Staying in contention for much of the weekend, she showed her fellow competitors, some of whom grew up idolizing her, that “retirement” doesn’t mean ruin.
“I always say that I should [have hobbies] because I probably will be bored, but it’s just so nice not doing anything.”
Lexi Thompson
“It’s not like I’m just going out here to show face,” Thompson said. “I’m still very competitive, but just trying to enjoy the few times I will play. I still come out to win every week I play, just like any competitor would.”
While she still likes to work out every day and will practice 1-2 hours at a stretch while at home in south Florida, it’s clearly a different Lexi now from the one who was in the spotlight for so much of her life. She was happy to finally escape the grind.
Hobbies?
“I always say that I should [have some] because I probably will be bored, but it’s just so nice not doing anything. It’s just so nice just sitting around. I mean, I’ll work out an hour or two a day and still practice here and there. You know, it’s nice to just, I don’t know, I’m just going to binge-watch a show, just sit on my couch,” she said.
She praised the medical drama “Pulse,” her current binge choice, instead of agonizing over pars.
Work-life balance?
Thompson now wears a large engagement ring from fiancé Max Provost, who proposed last December.
Golf stress?
She had her brother Curtis cracking jokes while caddying for her at Carlton Woods and getting her back on track when she hit a rough patch, such as the back-to-back bogeys to start her Saturday round. She turned it around to shoot a 2-under 70.
Future golf plans?
“It’s really fun and cool to see history in the making in front of you. The goal is to be like her for sure.”
Lauren Coughlin
Asked if her play at the Chevron would encourage her to play more this year, Thompson turned with a chuckle and quickly said, “Absolutely not.”
“The biggest difference is more vacations for sure. And not feeling bad about them,” she added. “Yeah, I mean, I have a lot bigger breaks in between events than a [full-time] player would, but it’s nice. It’s my 15th year [as a professional]. It’s very, I think, well-deserved. I’m enjoying my off time and still practicing when I can.”
Thompson is next likely to play the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills in late May, then the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at PGA Frisco in June. The Chevron was her fourth start of the year, and if you’re betting the over/under on a double-figure number of 2025 starts, the under seems the safe play.
What Thompson is doing as a part-time player isn’t lost on her fellow competitors.
“It’s really fun and cool to see history in the making in front of you,” said two-time LPGA winner Lauren Coughlin. “The goal is to be like her for sure.”
“Definitely. Absolutely. It’s encouraging,” added tour veteran Lindy Duncan. “It means if she can do it, I can do it.”
An elder stateswoman at age 30 who was secure enough in herself to call out the meager crowds at last week’s LPGA major, Thompson said she was honored that her fellow competitors would recognize her success as a part-time player.
“That means a lot to me first off, but I think we’re all out here inspiring just the women in the game. I think that’s the goal, to grow it and to leave it in a better place.
“But as much as we want to beat each other out here, we want to see good golf. We want to see talented players come out here. We want to see the personalities and the way people give back.”
Returning to the TV drama “Pulse,” Thompson remarked, “It’s pretty good so far.”
So too, it appears, is being a part-time LPGA star.
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Top: Lexi Thompson had her brother Curtis on her bag - and keeping her loose and focused - at the Chevron Championship.
Sarah Stier, Getty Images