Why is Lexi Thompson retiring? Explaining the reasoning behind 29-year-old golfer’s decision

Not many people can comfortably retire before the age of 30, but Lexi Thompson is doing the unthinkable again.

Thompson, who qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at just 12, is retiring from golf at 29. She announced her decision on Tuesday via Instagram.

The 2024 LPGA Tour will be her last. The final tournament of the season extends from Dec. 13-15, so that will be the final time Thompson will hit the green.

Thompson became a professional golfer in 2010 when she was 15 and joined the LPGA Tour in 2012 as a 17-year-old. She’s still young, but she’s been around the sport for nearly two decades.

Why did Lexi Thompson retire?
Thompson said she had been contemplating retirement for a few months, but she isn’t 100-percent done with the sport. She will no longer be a full-time golfer, but she doesn’t know how much golf she’ll play after this season.

“I’m taking it day by day right now,” Thompson said at the U.S. Women’s Open. “I’m not going to say yes or no on how many events I’ll play or if I do. I’m just going to take it day by day and see how I feel, especially going into next year, but I’m very content with this being my last full-time schedule year.”

Thompson mentioned in her Instagram post that she’s been in the spotlight since she was 12, and she connected with others who also dealt with constant scrutiny of their games.

She’s further thanked everyone involved in her career and acknowledged all that’s come from the sport.

“I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” Thompson said on Instagram. “Time with family, friends, and my trusted companion Leo. I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And of course, I look forward to a little time for myself.”

Did Lexi Thompson win a major?
Yes, Lexi Thompson won one major in her career. She won the Chevron Championship in 2014, which was called the Kraft Nabisco Championship at the time.

Thompson won 15 times in her professional tour, which included 11 in the LPGA. She came close to winning another major championship a few times, but she only has one at the moment.

Lexi Thompson net worth
Thompson racked up nearly $14 million in career earnings by the end of 2022 and earned $5.9 million in 2022 alone, according to Forbes.

Her official net worth is unknown, but it’s projected to be between $2-7 million.