Superstar golfer Lexi Thompson recently announced that she will retire at the end of the year, marking her upcoming seventh Solheim Cup as her final appearance in the event. This announcement has drawn significant attention as Thompson prepares for her last competition on one of golf’s most prestigious stages.
Thompson’s Solheim Cup career has been notable, though it has not always ended in victory for Team USA. Over her six appearances, only two have resulted in triumphs, with Europe demonstrating dominance over the past decade. In the 2023 edition, Thompson secured three points out of four, yet the event concluded in a 14-14 tie, allowing Europe to retain the cup in a dramatic finish.
One of the most memorable moments of Thompson’s career occurred during the 2023 Solheim Cup, when a critical mistake on the final day shifted the momentum. On the opening day, the USA built a strong lead, but Thompson and her partner, Lilia Vu, lost a crucial half-point in their afternoon match. The American pair was tied with Europe’s Leona Maguire and Georgia Hall heading into the final hole.
In a pivotal moment, Maguire chipped in for a birdie, placing pressure on Thompson to either hole her chip for a full point or salvage a half-point. Unfortunately for Thompson, her chip shot was poorly executed, nearly hitting Vu and her caddie before resting at the bottom of a hill. This error allowed Europe to claim their first full point of the day and ignited their comeback.
During the post-match press conference, Thompson was asked about the mishap with her chip shot. Her response was notably terse: “I don’t need to comment on that.” When the reporter sought clarification, Thompson remained firm, explaining that the chip was affected by a difficult lie and that her shot was not good. The interaction left the reporter and the audience somewhat taken aback.
Thompson’s captain, Stacy Lewis, who is also participating in this year’s event, was visibly displeased with the question, muttering, “That’s a terrible question” after Thompson’s response. Despite the rocky end to her Solheim Cup appearances, Lewis has included Thompson as one of her three wildcard picks for this year’s competition at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
Lewis, reflecting on Thompson’s impact on women’s golf, praised her significant contributions and growth. “Lexi has definitely changed women’s golf,” Lewis noted. “I actually got to play with her in her rookie year at Solheim in Colorado. To see how far she’s come from there until now is incredible.”
As Thompson heads into her final Solheim Cup, both she and her supporters hope for a fitting send-off and a strong performance to cap off her remarkable career.
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