In the end there were tears for Lexi Thompson. But then again how could there not be. When you’ve had the impressive 13-year career that she has had on the LPGA Tour and you’re saying goodbye to playing on a full-time basis, the emotions will follow.
To her credit, the 29-year-old closed things out at the CME Group Tour Championship with a great up and down. After hitting her approach into a greenside bunker on the ninth hole at Tiburon Golf Club, Thompson hit her third shot perfectly, the ball coming to rest two feet from the hole. And as she walked on the green, that’s when she started to well up.
It wasn’t all rosy. There was a called-in rules incident in 2017 at the ANA Inspiration that resulted in a four-shot penalty and cost her a major championship. And she also spent time away from the game to better her mental health. When she has spoken about the harder parts of her career this season, it’s apparent that the scar tissue of the hard times is still there for Thompson.
Through all of it, she gained fans of all ages. But she really resonated with young girls. With her powerful play, fun outfits, and the time she spent signing autographs, she made young girls love golf.
So when she played her final round at the CME—shooting a closing 74 to finish tied for 49th on the week, she hoped to have fans there to celebrate the moment with her. Due to Thompson not playing a full schedule going forward, she likely won’t qualify for the CME again.
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