The End of an Era

For the first time in 19 years, professional golfer Lexi Thompson will be absent from the U.S. Women’s Open field. Since making her debut as a 12-year-old amateur in 2007, the 11-time LPGA Tour winner has maintained a consistent presence at the championship, marking a record-breaking streak that concludes this year at Riviera Country Club.


Reflecting on a Career Milestone

Thompson, now 31, shared her sentiments regarding this transition on social media. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed both nostalgia and personal pride in her achievements:

«I never could have imagined that week would be the beginning of a career that would take me around the world, allow me to compete against the best players in the game, and help me live out my dream of playing professional golf. For the first time since that week, I won’t be competing in the U.S. Women’s Open. Definitely not a great feeling, I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But I have to remind myself that I’ve played in 19 in a row, and I’m very proud of that.»

Qualification Challenges

Her absence from the tournament stems from the specific eligibility requirements for the event. The pathways to entry include:

  • Maintaining a top-75 position in the Rolex World Rankings (Thompson ranked 98th at the deadline).
  • Securing a victory in an LPGA tournament (her most recent win was in 2019).
  • Successfully navigating Final Qualifying.

Although she had originally planned to participate in the qualifying event in Florida, she eventually withdrew to focus on an LPGA tournament schedule.


Looking Toward the Future

Following her 2024 announcement regarding her retirement from full-time LPGA competition, Thompson has shifted toward a more selective playing schedule. As she balances professional commitments with personal life goals, including her recent marriage and desire to start a family, her appearances have become less frequent. Despite missing the cut in her last three U.S. Women's Open appearances, her career record—highlighted by a T-2 finish in 2019 and multiple top-10 placements—remains stellar. While this marks the end of a long streak, Thompson has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the championship in the future.