Lexi Thompson has announced that she will be retiring from professional golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA Tour season.
The 15-time LPGA Tour winner released a statement on social media which stated: “While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time.
“At the end of 2024, I will be stepping away from a full professional golf schedule.
“I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of the year as there are still goals I want to accomplish.”
Thompson, whose announcement comes just two days before her scheduled 18th appearance at the US Women’s Open, added: “Golf has been my life ever since I was five years old, tournaments when I was seven.
“I haven’t really known much of a different life, but it’s been an amazing one.
“This sport has taught me a lot, and I’ve learned so much along the way, built so many friendships and relationships. I’m looking forward to what life has in store.”
The 29-year-old first burst onto the scene when she qualified for the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 12, the youngest to ever qualify for the tournament at that time. She turned professional in 2010 at the age of 15 and her first victory on the tour came at the Navistar LPGA Classic at the age of 16, becoming the youngest ever winner at that time.
She went onto win 15 times in her career on the LPGA Tour as well as capture a major win in the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, now recognized as the Chevron Championship.
The American has also represented her country in six Solheim Cups and two Olympic Games.