“Golf World Stunned as Major Winner Announces Shock Retirement, Citing ‘Exhausting’ Pressure!”

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

Ahead of this week’s U.S. Women’s Open, Thompson shared a heartfelt message on social media explaining her decision to end her remarkable career. This tournament at Lancaster Country Club marks her 18th consecutive appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open, a major she first qualified for at the age of 12 in 2007.

Reflecting on her journey, Thompson said, “Since I was 12, my life as a golfer has been a whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny, and pressure. The cameras are always on, capturing every swing and every moment on and off the course. Social media never sleeps, with comments and criticisms coming in from around the world. It can be exhausting to maintain a smile on the outside while grappling with struggles on the inside.”

Thompson emphasized the importance of sharing her struggles, saying it has helped her connect with others who feel isolated, offering them a sense of community and understanding. “Each 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.”

At 29, Thompson added, “While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time.”

Thompson became a household name in golf when she became the youngest golfer to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12, a record she held until 2014 when 11-year-old Lucy Li qualified. In 2010, at just 15, she turned professional, receiving an exemption from the LPGA’s minimum age rule of 18. In September 2011, she made history as the youngest winner of an LPGA event. Her major victory came in 2014, when she won the Kraft Nabisco Championship at 19, becoming the second-youngest LPGA major champion.

However, Thompson hasn’t added to her major titles since then, though she has four runner-up finishes and four third-place finishes. In 2018, she withdrew from the Ricoh Women’s British Open and took a month-long leave from the LPGA, returning later that year to win the CME Group Tour Championship.

Continuing her groundbreaking career, Thompson became the seventh woman to compete on the PGA Tour last October at the Shriners Children’s Open. She narrowly missed the cut but delivered an impressive performance at the TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.