Lexi Thompson ‘retired’ last year. Now she’s back in contention

You would be forgiven for thinking Lexi Thompson was done playing pro golf. It was just 11 months ago that she hosted a press conference at the U.S. Women’s Open, emotionally announcing a retirement … of sorts. 

There was a touch of nuance lost on most people that day in Lancaster, Pa. And part of that may hav been in the delivery — a teary-eyed day at the same tournament that helped launch her career. Thompson said that 2024 would be her final year playing full-time on the LPGA Tour. Most of the golf world believed it was her swan song, full stop One tournament responded by making their second round Friday “Lexi Thompson Day”. 

But Thompson clearly felt there was some space she could carve out between full-time and full-retirement. She explained it to my colleague Jess Marksbury in a GOLF Magazine cover story. There would be no back-to-backs, and fewer tournaments played overall. But you’d see her out there on Tour, and we have, with three Thompson starts already in 2025. 

So maybe at this point we shouldn’t be so confused by her continued presence on Tour. Nor her place on the leaderboard right now at the first major of the LPGA season, the Chevron Championship.

Through 36 holes, Thompson is right in the thick of contention at the Chevron, the major championship she won 11 years ago, the only major win of her career. She will begin her third round at four under, just a few strokes off the lead at Carlton Woods. 

“It’s not like I’m just going out here to show face,” Thompson said after shooting a 5-under 67. “I’m still very competitive, and, yeah, but just trying to enjoy the few times I will play.”

That sentiment was one she shared 11 months ago, that the full-time playing career led to less enjoyment of the game at times. “Being out here can be a lot,” she said at the time, tears in her eyes. “It can be lonely.” 

Thompson is playing this week with much the same setup she had last summer, her brother Curtis caddying for her, same sponsors on the bag. She finished out the 2024 season ranked 50th in the world and has played just one event per month since. It was a T13 at the Founders Cup, a T38 at the Ford Championship and a missed cut two weeks ago in LA. On March 1, she posted a video grinding on the driving range with the caption, “Retired from full time…get it right.” Who the intended recipient of that was is unclear, but the message might be for everyone. Thompson isn’t done trying to compete. 

“Coming into the week, if I’m being honest, I wasn’t hitting it great coming off last week,” Thompson said Friday. “Didn’t really know what to expect. But Monday through Wednesday I don’t think I’ve ever practiced that hard and like worked with my brother Curtis on the bag and my dad, and just going back and forth with things that could possibly work.”

She said the last two days have been fun, but Friday had to be a lot more fun than Thursday. Thompson made six birdies to cruise up the leaderboard on what has been a difficult track most of the week. Only one player carded a better total Friday.

After the round, she offered a touch of clarity on what this semi-retired life means. In short, she’ll make about 10 starts this season, she thinks, so another six or seven this season. It has benefitted her mental health, Thompson said, but also given her more time away from the game without guilt. When asked what the biggest difference is between the full-time Thompson and the part-time Thompson, she said, “more vacations for sure. And not feeling bad about them. Yeah, I have a lot bigger breaks in between events than a normal player would, but it’s nice. It’s my 15th year. It’s very, I think, well-deserved. I’m enjoying my off time and still practicing when I can.“

And getting more time in front of the television. Thompson was asked if she’s picked up any hobbies, and it sounds like she’s picked up more of a habit … of binge-watching. 

“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,” Thompson said. 

“Never really had the opportunity to do that that much, so it’s nice to do that. But I probably will pick up a hobby. I’m looking into maybe volunteering at an animal shelter or something like that. I love animals. Something to keep me busy.”

Right now, that show is Pulse, on Netflix. “Pretty good so far,” she says. 

Kinda like her performance at the Chevron.