A day after one of the women’s game’s superstars, Lexi Thompson, revealed she will retire from full-time professional golf at the end of the season, USGA CEO Mike Whan has heaped praise on her.
Whan was speaking to the media ahead of the second women’s Major of the year, the US Women’s Open, which is organized by the USGA, where he had nothing but good things to say about both Thompson and her decision.
He began: “I’m excited if she’s excited. If this is something that’s going to make her happy, that’s great.”
Thompson’s announcement came as a shock because she joins a list of LPGA stars to retire early at the age of just 29. However, she is preparing for her 18th successive US Women’s Open, having made her maiden appearance at the age of 12. Whan explained she’s more than served her dues – and handled herself brilliantly in the process.
Mike Whan says Lexi Thompson has “definitely given her time” to the game
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“She has definitely given her time,” he said. “I think anybody in this room who works at the LPGA or did would tell you that if we were going to write a book about how to handle yourself off the golf course, not even talking about the competition and accomplishments on, but in terms of how to handle sponsors, how to handle fans, how to handle availability, she was a role model.
“If this is the next exciting thing for her, I’m the last guy who can tell you about moving on to the next thing because you feel like you need a new challenge.”
On the day of her announcement, Thompson also faced the media, where she revealed she was “very content” with her decision, and touched on the pressures of being a full-time pro. Whan, also raised that issue, particularly with regards to Thompson’s dedication to the game from such a young age.
He said: “I think a lot of regular fans don’t comprehend – and I wasn’t here yesterday when Lexi was talking – don’t comprehend what it’s like to lose ages 12 to 19 to a professional endeavor. Most of us had those experiences.
What feels like 29 to us probably feels like 39 to her in terms of missing some of those things that you always wanted to be a part of.”
Lexi Thompson made her US Women’s Open debut at the 2007 edition
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Thompson’s hugely successful…
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