Major winner, 29, announces shock retirement from golf under 'exhausting' pressure

After starting her career as a 12-year-old starlet and becoming an LPGA Tour major champion, Lexi Thompson announced she would retire from golf at the end of the season.

Lexi Thompson’s only major victory came at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2014.(Getty Images)

LPGA superstar Lexi Thompson has sensationally announced her plans to retire from professional golf at the end of the 2024 season.

Before competing in this week’s US Women’s Open, Thompson took to social media to share a “letter” to the game in which she detailed why she decided to end her remarkable career. Her appearance at Lancaster Country Club will be her 18th consecutive appearance at the US Women’s Open, her first qualification for the major tournament when she was just 12 years old in 2007.

“Since the age of 12, my golfing life has been a whirlwind of constant attention, control and pressure,” Thompson said. “The cameras are always on, capturing every swing and every moment on and off the golf course.

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“Social networks never sleep under the comments and criticism that pour in from all over the world. It can be exhausting to keep a smile on the outside while struggling on the inside.

“By opening up about my own struggles, I was able to connect with others who feel isolated in their struggles, providing them with a sense of community and understanding. Every time I share, it reinforces the message that it’s okay to not be okay and that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The 29-year-old added: “Although it’s never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time. »

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