Professional golfer Lexi Thompson is ready to leave the golf course: revelations and plans for the future
29 may 2024 в 20:13
Professional golfer Lexi Thompson is ready to step away from the golf course. On Tuesday, May 28, the athlete announced her plans to retire from professional golf at the end of the 2024 season.
«Although saying goodbye is never easy, the time has come», - said Lexi, 29, in an open letter published on Instagram. «At the end of 2024, I plan to step away from the full professional golf schedule. I am excited to spend the remaining part of the year as I still have goals I want to achieve. I look forward to the next chapter in my life. Time with family, friends, and my loyal companion [dog] Leo».
She continued: «I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And, of course, I look forward to some time for myself».
In her announcement, Lexi acknowledged the mental health struggles she has faced, becoming one of the most well-known female golfers in the world. Since the age of 12, as Lexi shared, her life as a golfer has been «a whirlwind of constant attention, criticism, and pressure».
«The cameras are always on, capturing every shot and every moment on and off the golf course», - she explained. «Social media never sleeps, with comments and criticism coming from all over the world. It can be exhausting to keep a smile on the outside, battling with my inner struggles».
«By opening up about my own battles, I have been able to connect with others who feel isolated in their struggles, offering them a sense of community and understanding», - Lexi continued. «Every time I share, it reinforces the message that it’s okay not to be okay, and that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness».
Lexi also expressed her decision to retire at a press conference at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 28.
«Being here, it can be tough. It can be lonely», - she said. «I'm sorry if I’m emotional. They don’t understand a lot of what we go through as professional athletes. I think we all have our struggles, especially here. Unfortunately, in golf, you lose more than you win, so it’s a constant struggle to continue putting yourself out there in front of the cameras and continue working hard, possibly not seeing the desired results and receiving criticism for it»
«Although saying goodbye is never easy, the time has come», - said Lexi, 29, in an open letter published on Instagram. «At the end of 2024, I plan to step away from the full professional golf schedule. I am excited to spend the remaining part of the year as I still have goals I want to achieve. I look forward to the next chapter in my life. Time with family, friends, and my loyal companion [dog] Leo».
She continued: «I will always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers. And, of course, I look forward to some time for myself».
In her announcement, Lexi acknowledged the mental health struggles she has faced, becoming one of the most well-known female golfers in the world. Since the age of 12, as Lexi shared, her life as a golfer has been «a whirlwind of constant attention, criticism, and pressure».
«The cameras are always on, capturing every shot and every moment on and off the golf course», - she explained. «Social media never sleeps, with comments and criticism coming from all over the world. It can be exhausting to keep a smile on the outside, battling with my inner struggles».
«By opening up about my own battles, I have been able to connect with others who feel isolated in their struggles, offering them a sense of community and understanding», - Lexi continued. «Every time I share, it reinforces the message that it’s okay not to be okay, and that seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness».
Lexi also expressed her decision to retire at a press conference at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on May 28.
«Being here, it can be tough. It can be lonely», - she said. «I'm sorry if I’m emotional. They don’t understand a lot of what we go through as professional athletes. I think we all have our struggles, especially here. Unfortunately, in golf, you lose more than you win, so it’s a constant struggle to continue putting yourself out there in front of the cameras and continue working hard, possibly not seeing the desired results and receiving criticism for it»
© Puhova Marina
