Last year, Lexi Thompson stunned the golf world by announcing her retirement from the LPGA Tour. At 29, she played what was expected to be her final tournament for a good while at the Grant Thornton Invitational in December, where she teamed up with Rickie Fowler.
Yet, it seems semi-retirement suits her better. Less than two months later, she’s set to tee it up at this week’s Founders Cup in her home state of Florida. Sitting down with the ever-popular Thompson at last month’s PGA Show, I was intrigued to learn more about her plans for this season and beyond.
This year marks Thompson’s 15th season on the LPGA Tour, but the demands of full-time professional golf had started to take their toll. “It was a lot at times and very stressful. I realised there’s more to life than just professional golf,” she admitted.
A certain Max Provost may have played a role in that realisation. Provost, who works in the medical field and enjoys golf on the weekends, proposed in January during a holiday in Whistler, presenting her with a stunning diamond ring. I couldn’t wait to get a look at it, and she was happy to show it off, noting with a laugh that it felt a little loose in the unusually wet and cold Orlando climate. “It was totally unexpected, but the right time in my life,” she said.
The couple plans to marry early next year, though Thompson laughs when asked about wedding preparations. “I’m quickly learning that I need a wedding planner – just finding a venue is hard enough.”
So how much golf will Thompson play this season? She’s already committed to ten tournaments, including two Majors – the Chevron Championship in April, the first women’s Major of the year, and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June. Beyond that, she plans to take things as they come, choosing events that feel right as the season unfolds.
“I’m still practicing, maybe not spending as many long days on the course or in the gym, but every time I tee it up, I still want that feeling of competing to win,” she said. “There’s less stress and pressure on myself, but I’ll always have high expectations. It’s nice to have that freedom now.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Thompson is the perfect example of semi-retirement – while golf remains a big part of her life, it’s too soon…
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