‘Decided To Leave Me Today’: Lexi Thompson Reveals Crushing Wake-Up Call From $8M LPGA Tournament

The 2025 Chevron Championship was a combination of exciting and surprising. The result was determined after a thrilling five-way tie, with Mao Saigo coming first in the playoff and claiming her first-ever Major title. This was Saigo’s first title on the LPGA Tour as well, which she claimed after carding a birdie on the 18th hole during the playoff. The big names like Nelly Korda (T14), Jeeno Thitikul (T24), Lydia Ko (T52), and Charley Hull (Cut) were all disappointed at the first major of the season.

It also featured a disappointing performance from Lexi Thompson, who could only manage a T14 finish at her 4th start of the season. Thompson, who had started brightly at the event, had a tough outing on day 4, falling off the ladder. She took to Instagram to share her thoughts on what was the difficult first major of the season for her.

“Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers and fans at the @thechevronchampionship this week for making it possible! Always a special week for the womens game , and I’m honored to always be a part of it.” Her caption read. This is Thompson’s sixteenth appearance at the celebrated major, and she has enjoyed good results during her participation, including winning the title in 2014. She also has 7 top 10 finishes in the tournament, so it is safe to say that her standards are higher than the T14, where she finished this week. “My game definitely decided to leave me today, but overall still a good week ! Time to go home and relax for a bit and have a game plan for the next.” Thompson ended her caption.

In a low-scoring affair, every hole counts, and Lexi Thompson knows that. The American golfer started testily on day 1 with a 1-over-par score, and staged a miraculous recovery across the next two days, finishing day 3 at a total score of 6 under par. This had also put her in contention for a second Chevron Championship victory at the Cabin at Carlton Woods.

However, day 4 had a unique plan for her altogether. Despite a shot at the title, Thompson failed to substantiate her day 2 and day 3 performances with a bogey-filled outing during the last round. The 11-time LPGA Tour winner carded two straight bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes to set a very disappointing tone for the rest of the day. Thompson finished with five bogeys on the day, registering a score of 4 over par to bring her total to 2 under par and a T14 finish.

With the kind of finish she had, her emotions at the end of it all are understandable. One difficult outing undid a great few days of golf. That is golf, where consistency is key. And since her decision to retire from full-time commitments to golf, Thompson has yet to find the much-needed consistency.

Lexi Thompson’s part-time golf venture

Thompson had initially declared her intentions to retire from the game at the end of 2024, midway through last year. However, while many lamented the exodus of such a talented golfer from the ranks of the LPGA, the 1-time Major winner later put out her thoughts clearly. “I did say [I’m retiring] just from a full-time schedule. Just going to take that time for myself, spend it with my family and friends, and really just decompress and make sure that if or when I do decide to play, that I’m ready and I’m in a good mind space.” The 30-year-old had stated at the Grant Thornton Invitational in December 2024.

But since then, her golfing exploits have not stood out. She finished T13 at the Founder Cup and set a decent tone to start her season. But She stumbled hard at the Ford Championship in Arizona, finishing T38 with a score of 11 under par. She then failed to make the cutline at the JM Eagle LA Championship. The T14 at the Chevron Championship was her saving grace, but that too was marred by inconsistent plays.

The question that needs to be asked is whether the lack of proper practice and being part of a full season flow is inhibiting her ability to draw out the best she can offer to the sport. Either way, that will be a question Thompson will be looking to answer herself.