The 2024 Solheim Cup, the 19th edition of the competition, will be held from September 13 to 15 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia, USA. The Solheim Cup is a biennial team competition between the top female professional golfers from Europe and the USA.
Golf star Lexi Thompson, only 29 years old, announced during the US Women’s Open in May that this year will be her last on the LPGA Tour.
Lexi Thompson’s Golf Achievements
Alexis Noel Thompson is an American professional golfer on the LPGA Tour.
Thompson showed a passion for golf from a young age, becoming the youngest player to qualify for the US Women’s Open at just twelve years old. This might be related to her environment, as her two brothers are also well-known golfers.
In June 2010, at the age of 15, Thompson turned professional and began her golf career. The following year, at the age of 16 years, 7 months, and 8 days, she set a new record by becoming the youngest champion in the history of the LPGA Championship. Her extraordinary talent in golf still places her among the top five youngest LPGA major champions.
Lexi Thompson Announces Retirement
However, despite being a golfing prodigy, Thompson experienced a downturn due to immense external pressure. During the US Women’s Open in May, she announced her impending retirement.
“Since I was 12, as a golfer, my life has been a whirlwind of constant attention, scrutiny, and pressure. The cameras are always on, capturing every swing and every moment on and off the golf course. Social media never sleeps, with comments and criticisms flooding in from around the world. It can be exhausting maintaining a smile on the outside while grappling with struggles on the inside,” she said in an interview.
Nevertheless, Thompson still holds ambitions for the Solheim Cup. She visited the demanding competition venue early, demonstrating her determination to bring the trophy back to the USA.
Currently, Thompson ranks 14th on the Solheim Cup points list, meaning she may need to rely on the captain’s pick. However, US team captain Stacy Lewis has given Thompson full confidence, stating that Thompson has more experience and unmatched determination, and she believes she will perform well.
