Lexi Thompson walked off the ninth tee box holding a towel to wipe the tears. While it wasn’t the last round of her career, Sunday at the CME Group Tour Championship marked the end of an era. The 29-year-old announced earlier this year that 2024 would be her last full season on the LPGA.
Thompson’s mother led a small group of family and friends onto the final green to present a bouquet of flowers and finish off the round with hugs. Thompson’s boyfriend, Max Provost, held her dog Leo in his arms. Older brother Nicholas carried the bag this week at Tiburon Golf Club.
The emotions continued to pour out moments later when the popular and powerful Thompson met with the media.
“I think ever since I was super young, I have held a lot in, and just – sorry,” said Thompson as she gathered herself. “No, I’ve held a lot in. I think as athletes you’re always told to be strong and be intimidating on the golf course. Don’t show any sign the weakness.
“I did it for a while, and it’s just, you know, it’s gotten to me sometimes. It’s hard. It’s not just me, it’s everybody that goes through a lot of things. It’s just a matter of how much you’re willing to hold in and let people in on your emotions. It’s kind of like the time I’m actually letting myself feel those emotions and actually be real.”
Thompson was actually one of three players to bid farewell to full-time golf at the CME. While 32-year-old Ally Ewing and Thompson announced their decisions months ago, it was news to most that 34-year-old Marina Alex had decided to step away. A total of a dozen players have announced they’re stepping away from full-time competition this season.
Alex’s friends and family were decked out in special T-shirts that represented each of her 11 seasons on the LPGA. They popped champagne to celebrate.
The Vanderbilt grad and longtime Palm Beach Gardens resident played her first full season on the LPGA in 2014 and won twice. Alex closed with a 66 at Tiburon to finish tied for 12th.
“The last few years have been tough, the travel, the grind,” said Alex. “This is year 11. Trying to keep up with everyone out here, I’m doing my absolute best.”
Ewing, a three-time winner on the LPGA, was greeted by family and her puppy Rusty on the 18th green. Getting a dog topped the retirement bucket list for Ewing, who leaves the LPGA playing some of the best golf of her career. Ewing closed with back-to-back 68s at CME to notch her 11th top 25 of the season.
“I’m just overwhelmed with how much love and support I’ve had,” said Ewing. “Even though this chapter is closing, they are so excited to have me around a little bit more and I’m excited to do that as well.”
Thompson, 29, is an 11-time winner on the LPGA and claimed the CME title in 2018. Her first LPGA victory came at the age of 16, and her greatest at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, now known as the Chevron. She will return to Tiburon Golf Club next month for the Grant Thornton Invitational, where she’ll play alongside Rickie Fowler.
Thompson’s peers frequently praise her commitment to sponsors and fans, noting that she rarely missed a pro-am party and sent hand-written notes to pro-am partners.
“I’ll remember everything,” said Thompson of an LPGA career that spanned 13 full seasons and proved unforgettable.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Lexi Thompson, Ally Ewing Marina Alex retiring from LPGA after CME Group Tour Championship
