By: Max Bechtoldt
Lexi Thompson has without question been one of the faces of American golf for over a decade. With her 11 LPGA Tour wins and now seven Solheim Cup appearances, nobody has been more of a constant than Thompson. Yet, this will likely be her final appearance in the Solheim Cup as a player.
In May, Thompson shocked the women’s golf world by announcing her retirement from full-time competition on the LPGA Tour. While she remained vague on her future in golf on a week-to-week basis, her emotional finish at The Old Course a few weeks ago certainly caught the attention of many.
Thompson says this week hasn’t been too emotional yet, and that she is just trying to enjoy the event with her teammates.
“I haven’t been emotional this week,” Thompson said. “I’ve just been having a lot of fun alongside my teammates and assistant captains and captain.”
While this is likely her final Solheim Cup as a player, Thompson will undoubtedly be asked by the next United States captain to still be involved. An idea that captain Stacy Lewis endorses fully.
“Whoever is the next captain, they need to get her on as an assistant, that’s all I can say,” said Lewis. “Lexi needs to be there in the team room. She needs to be around these girls. She’s just great energy to have around.”
Thompson herself certainly left the door open to returning in any way she can.
“I haven’t thought too much ahead, but of course I’d love to be still a part of it in any way just because I know how special it’s been to me and how many memories and relationships and friendships I’ve made throughout the Solheim Cup,” Thompson said. “So I’d love to be a part of it.”
For now though, it is just about taking the week in for the American golf legend and trying to have one last big moment in her favorite event.
“I mean, representing your country is one thing. That’s the highest honor that you’ll possibly get on the golf course,” said Thompson. “But to be alongside all these teammates and to play under the captains that I have that are women that I’ve looked up to throughout my whole career, it’s been a dream of mine.”
