Lexi Thompson didn’t play at her best this week at the U.S. Women’s Open.
But despite failing to qualify by finishing 13 over par, she kept her trademark smile on wherever she went, signed as many autographs as she could and posed for plenty of photos.
That’s Thompson, and it’s why she has so many fans.
“Obviously it wasn’t the golf I wanted to play, but it was a special week to be able to showcase my game,” Thompson said after Friday’s second round.
“Seeing all the fans out there and hearing them chant ‘Go Lexi’ made me smile with every shot, even when I was hitting bogey after bogey. But it was definitely a special week.”
Earlier this week, the 29-year-old announced she was stepping down from a full-time schedule on the LPGA Tour. Her retirement comes just shy of her 18th appearance at the U.S. Women’s Open, the tournament where her dream of becoming a professional golfer first came true in 2007.
“When I first tee’d up at Pine Needles, I knew I wanted to play against the best and I want to continue to do so and even if it didn’t end the way I wanted, I still wanted to play for the 18th time. It’s always a special feeling every time I tee’d up in a USGA tournament,” Thompson added.
“I cherished every moment.”
If Thompson could go back in time and give advice to a 12-year-old boy from Pine Needles, she would tell herself to just enjoy life.
“Enjoy every experience, really cherish every shot you hit and every tournament you play in,” Thompson said.
“Be grateful for all that life has to offer. Enjoy all that you experience and enjoy being here.”
Thompson later revealed she plans to play 10 to 12 more tournaments this season but has no plans after that. She’ll miss the competition and camaraderie of the LPGA, but certainly not the 5:30 a.m. alarms.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation Playing Through. Follow For more golf articles, follow us on Twitter Jack Mirko In the same way.
