Lexi Thompson’s tearful press conference caps complicated career

Lexi Thompson is just 29, but she’s lived several lifetimes in golf.

She introduced herself to the world of golf in 2007 when she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 12. At the time, she was the youngest player to ever qualify for the national championship. She turned pro three years later and won for the first time on the LPGA Tour the following season. The question then was not if the budding superstar would win a major title, but rather how many.

Turns out, Thompson would go on to win just one, a triumph in the desert in 2014 that culminated with a leap into Poppie’s Pond. There were other opportunities, complete with agonizingly close calls and controversial finishes, but Thompson’s win at the Dinah Shore was her lone triumph on the biggest stage. Of course, Thompson’s journey had many other highlights, but ultimately her career became defined by what could’ve been.

On Sunday in Naples, that journey officially came to a close. With a final-round 74 at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, Thompson’s competitive playing career over. There may be one-off events in the future, but for now, Thompson’s full-time playing days are behind her.

Speaking to the media after the round, Thompson struggled to contain her emotions when reflecting on “the end.”

“It was very emotional,” she said. “Really wasn’t until I got to [the last hole] for some reason. Kind of all hit me.”

Thompson’s final event did not go the way she likely had hoped. She posted two-under for the week — good for a tie for 49th place — and her final round featured a quadruple-bogey 8. To make matters worse, the TV coverage on Sunday forced a two-tee start for the final round, meaning Thompson finished on No. 9 rather than No. 18.

“Pretty sad,” Thompson wrote on Instagram. “Bummed I won’t be able to embrace all the incredible fans on 18.”

Ultimately, of course, the unceremonious finish and lackluster play won’t be what Thompson is remembered for. Her legacy will be shaped by her triumphs and heartbreaks — and also for her generosity with those supported her through it all.

“[My legacy] means more to me than anything,” Thompson said. “Of course the wins, you know, got me to what I am, the accomplishments and everything, but I wanted to leave a bigger impact as a role model, somebody who gave back to the game, somebody who made an impact on little girls and boys out here getting started in the game at a young age. Showing the way I give back to the people and the sponsors and everything, there is more important things than just playing good golf.”

Some observers will say Thompson underachieved on the course; others will say that was, in part, the result of unfair pressure at too early an age. Her resume is full of grand achievements, but it’s hard not to wonder how much better it could’ve been.

One thing that can’t be argued, though, is the impact Thompson made on her fans who supported her through it all. Even in her darkest moments, she always made time to give back.

“The moments I’ll cherish the most are probably with the fans,” she said. “Those are the moments I’ll really remember back because they made an impact in my life as well.”