After 14 years on the professional golf circuit, Lexi Thompson is stepping back from full-time competition at the age of 29. Despite her remarkable career and a record $4 million prize at the recent CME Group Tour Championship, women’s golf continues to grapple with visibility issues in a male-dominated sports landscape.
The season-ending event, held at Tiburon Golf Club in Florida, concluded with Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul emerging as the champion. However, the tournament’s format faced criticism for prioritizing television scheduling over the athletes' experiences. The initial rounds featured a faster two-ball pace, but the final day was marred by an awkward three-ball format that forced half the players to begin on the back nine.
Thompson’s final round was particularly low-key, finishing among lesser-known players instead of receiving a proper send-off. She expressed her disappointment via social media, highlighting how the adjustments for TV coverage overshadowed her performance:
“It’s pretty sad when you’re at –4 in the season-ending event… and won’t even finish on 18 due to TV coverage.”
This lack of attention not only affected Thompson but also reflected broader systemic issues within women’s golf.
Thompson’s journey in professional golf has been marked by numerous accolades and milestones. At just 12 years old, she became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Open and continued to make headlines as she excelled in various tournaments throughout her career.
While she secured only one major title—at what is now known as the Chevron Championship—Thompson has consistently ranked among the top players, finishing as a runner-up four times in major events. Her engaging personality has made her a fan favorite, often drawing significant crowds wherever she played.
Despite facing challenges, including a notable incident at the 2017 ANA Inspiration where she received a two-shot penalty due to an error caught by viewers, Thompson maintained her status as a prominent figure in women’s golf.
As Thompson transitions away from full-time play, her legacy will undoubtedly influence future generations of female golfers. The recent comments from Terry Duffy, CEO of CME Group, underscore a pressing need for equitable treatment in sports broadcasting:
“If you are going to continue to build women’s sports… stop the nonsense of saying we have to show the men’s tournament because they’re men.”
While Thompson may have concluded this chapter of her career, her impact on women’s golf will resonate long after she’s left the spotlight. As discussions continue about improving visibility and support for female athletes, it’s clear that Thompson’s journey represents both significant achievements and ongoing challenges within the sport.
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