The End of an Era

For the first time in 19 years, professional golfer Lexi Thompson will be absent from the U.S. Women’s Open field. Since making her debut as a 12-year-old amateur in 2007, the 11-time LPGA Tour winner had maintained a consistent presence in the championship, a streak that officially concludes with this week's tournament at Riviera Country Club.

Reflecting on a Historic Run

Reflecting on her journey, Thompson expressed mixed emotions about the milestone. In a recent statement, she shared, «I never could have imagined that week would be the beginning of a career that would take me around the world, allow me to compete against the best players in the game, and help me live out my dream of playing professional golf.»

She added, «For the first time since that week, I won’t be competing in the U.S. Women’s Open. Definitely not a great feeling, I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But I have to remind myself that I’ve played in 19 in a row at the age of 30, and I’m very proud of that.»

Why the Streak Ended

Thompson’s path to qualification faced several hurdles this year:

  • World Rankings: She sat outside the top 75 in the Rolex World Rankings at the cutoff date, ranking 98th.
  • Tournament Wins: Her last LPGA Tour victory dates back to 2019.
  • Qualifying: Although she initially registered for Final Qualifying in Florida, she withdrew to participate in another LPGA event.

Looking Toward the Future

Two years ago, during the tournament at Lancaster Country Club, Thompson announced her plans to retire from full-time LPGA Tour competition at the conclusion of 2024. Currently playing a reduced schedule, she is prioritizing personal life milestones, including her recent marriage and aspirations to start a family.

Despite missing the cut in her last three U.S. Women’s Open appearances, Thompson’s history at the event remains decorated, featuring notable finishes including a runner-up spot in 2019 and multiple top-five results. While she admits this development is emotional, the 31-year-old hasn't completely closed the door on competing in future U.S. Women’s Open championships.