Lexi Thompson has enjoyed a wonderful career but it’s fair to say that she has underachieved, given her immense talent and what was expected of her when she burst onto the scene as a teenager.
Thompson, now 30, made her first start in a major when she was just 12 at the 2007 US Open.
The American missed the cut but she did see it through to the weekend in the 2009 US Open when she was just 14!
She has one major victory to her name – her Chevron Championship triumph in 2014 (formerly the ANA Inspiration).
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Thompson has won 11 LPGA Tour events throughout her career to date but the general consensus is that her talent deserved so much more.
In what was a shock move, Thompson announced in 2024 she would be retiring at the end of the year.
However, the 30-year-old played in three of the five majors in 2025 and she made 13 starts in total on the LPGA Tour.
Lexi Thompson was handed a four-shot penalty while leading a major
Thompson was on course to win her second major championship back in 2017 at the ANA Inspiration.
The American posted rounds of 69, 67 and 67 to lead by two shots heading into the final round at Mission Hills Country Club.
However, after 11 holes of the final round, and while holding a three shot lead, she was informed that the 67 she posted on day three had become a 71.
She was dealt a two-shot penalty for replacing her ball incorrectly after marking it and another two-shot penalty for signing for an incorrect score.
It was genuine heartbreak for Thompson who instantly fell from 16-under-par to 12-under-par.
The youngest ever US Open entrant was visibly shaken as the tears began to flow. However, to her credit, she bounced back to birdie three of her final six holes to force a playoff with Ryu So-yeon.
Unfortunately, Thompson’s story didn’t have a happy-ever-after ending. She lost the sudden death playoff as Ryu So-yeon recorded her second career major win.
Lexi Thompson responded to ANA Inspiration heartache
Thompson was obviously distraught after failing to win her second major championship at the ANA Inspiration.
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She spoke out three weeks after the incident at Mission Hill in California.
“I played amazing that week,” Thompson told reporters.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played any better. Just for that to happen, it was kind of a nightmare.
“Golf is the only sport that call-ins are available. Do I think it’s right? Not really, but it’s not my say.
“I’ve never cried so much on a golf course on every shot.”
It could be argued that Thompson actually never fully recovered from that incident.
As mentioned earlier, her talent and potential were deserving of many more major wins.
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