St. Andrews making Lexi Thompson smile amid looming retirement

On the U.S. Ladies’s Open in Might, an emotional Lexi Thompson introduced her retirement from professional golf, efficient on the finish of the season.

Since then, she has performed in 5 occasions, along with her finest end coming on the Meijer Traditional, a tie for second. However now she is in Scotland, taking part in in what could possibly be the final main championship of her profession on the AIG Ladies’s Open. Thompson didn’t shut the door on that chance, however she didn’t rule out taking part in in future majors both. Regardless, the 29-year-old Thompson has smiled far and vast on the Dwelling of Golf this week, as she feels assured in her determination.

“I haven’t had any doubt,” Thompson stated at St. Andrews.

“I’m very content material with my determination, and I believe that can make me happiest inside.”

Thompson added that she felt a big weight fall off her shoulders after her announcement in Lancaster, the place followers, fellow gamers, and event officers alike embraced her for making such a troublesome determination public.

“I didn’t actually know what to anticipate or suppose, what individuals would consider my determination or my announcement,” Thompson stated.

Photograph by Oisin Keniry/R&A through Getty Photos

“All people goes by issues, and lots of people don’t find out about it. It’s only a matter of how properly you disguise it and the way open you need to be about it. I believe it’s vital to share these emotions, whether or not it’s with shut family members or be open about it with anyone that you simply need to search assist with. It’s not one thing that you need to hold inside. You shouldn’t be afraid of sharing the way you genuinely really feel.”

Thompson has performed golf underneath the brightest lights as a younger teenager. Followers and media alike have scrutinized her profession ever since, which sadly comes with a wholesome dose of negativity. Thompson touched on these unlucky circumstances when she made her determination public in Might.

“Being out right here could be a lot. It may be lonely. Sorry if I get emotional. I stated I wasn’t going to,” Thompson stated at Lancaster Nation Membership, preventing again tears.

“Lots of people don’t understand what we undergo as knowledgeable athlete. I’ll be the final one to say to throw me a pity get together. That’s the very last thing I need. We’re doing what we love. We’re making an attempt our greatest each single day. You realize, we’re not excellent. We’re people. Phrases damage. It’s exhausting to beat generally.”

However this week at St. Andrews, Thompson didn’t contact on that. As a substitute, she targeted on the positives. She desires to get married and lift a household. She desires to journey to South Africa and Greece and do all of the “touristy issues” when visiting locations world wide.

Thompson can even launch her Lexi Health app within the coming weeks, a brand new endeavor she is captivated with. But she won’t dangle the golf equipment up altogether.

“I believe golf is such an incredible recreation for bringing households collectively, bringing individuals collectively, and constructing these relationships. I believe it’s tremendous vital,” Thompson added Wednesday.

Photograph by Luke Walker/Getty Photos

“So no, it’s not one thing I might simply cease. Household wouldn’t cease that. However professionally, I don’t plan on having a household and taking part in skilled golf.”

That stated, Thompson nonetheless has a event at St. Andrews this week—a full-circle second since her first AIG Ladies’s Open begin got here on the Previous Course in 2013. She missed the minimize that week. However Thompson continues to dream large, even along with her retirement looming.

“[A win] would imply the world to me, actually. On the Dwelling of Golf? It doesn’t get significantly better than that. And being a significant championship, it might be a dream come true,” Thompson stated.

“However there’s a lot golf to be performed, and weeks like this, you simply have to remain within the second and take one shot at a time, be affected person, and know there shall be dangerous breaks or dangerous photographs. It’s a must to get by them with a constructive perspective and carry on going. However yeah, that will be a dream of mine.”

It doesn’t matter what occurs this week, Thompson will proceed to smile, realizing she feels comfy along with her profession and life trajectory. However a Thompson victory would conclude an unimaginable journey and ship her off into retirement with the largest smile of all of them.

Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. Be sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.