29-year-old Thompson 'Leaving the Field After This Year'

Retirement Announcement at US Women's Open Press Conference
Long Hitter with 11 Career Wins Including 1 Major
"This Year Is My Last in Golf, I Am Satisfied"

Power hitter Lexi Thompson (USA) announced her retirement at the age of 29.

Lexi Thompson is answering questions from the press at the US Women's Open press conference. [Lancaster, USA = AP·Yonhap News]

On the 28th (local time), at the official press conference for the major tournament US Women's Open held at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA, she said, "I have not yet decided what to do next," and added, "I am satisfied that this year is the last for golf." She revealed, "We all live with difficulties. In golf, there are more losses than wins," and "It was hard to keep standing in front of the camera, practicing hard, but not getting the desired results and being criticized."

Thompson has reportedly reduced the number of tournaments she has participated in significantly since last year, citing mental health issues. She tearfully said, "Playing golf demands a lot and is lonely," and "Because of recent events in golf, many people do not understand the many things we go through as professional athletes." This is presumed to refer to the death of Grayson Murray (USA), who was active on the PGA Tour.

Thompson competed in the US Women's Open at the age of 12 and was called a 'golf prodigy.' She won her first victory on the LPGA Tour at 16 and roamed the field with drives close to 300 yards. At 19, she won the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2014, becoming the 'Major Queen.' Her last victory was the ShopRite Classic in June 2019. After achieving a total of 11 wins, she has been 'winless' for five years.

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