Lexi Thompson could hardly contain her tears when she teed up to complete her final hole at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship in November.

Having announced her decision to retire from golf full-time competition in early 2024, the reality of bidding goodbye to a 15-year career was dawning heavily on Thompson. Citing mental health struggles, the two-time Olympian needed a break from the sport and while she didn’t get the farewell she desired, very few expected her to turn up at the Founders Cup on February 6.

Thompson did offer an insight as to why she was couldn’t let go off the chance to participate in the Founders Cup as the tour celebrates its 75th anniversary. “The Founders are the reason why we’re able to be out here today and to be on the LPGA Tour,” the 29-year-old says. “Those are the women that founded the tour, so we’re lucky and honored to be able to tee it up here. And this is only about three hours from my home, so definitely an easy trip.”  But as exciting as it was for the golf enthusiasts to see her back on the greens, her return is short lived for now.

At the Founders Cup, she put up a solid 2-under 69. Her latest outing at the Founders Cup saw Thompson finish tied for 13th place. Even better? Sitting at No. 55 in the Rolex Rankings, she’s still eligible to play in the Chevron Championship and KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, with a chance to earn a spot at the U.S. Women’s Open. She has confirmed plans to at least two LPGA majors in 2025, but now it’s starting to feel like a game of peekaboo.

Taking to Instagram, she thanked those involved with the Founders Cup and confirmed that she will be taking some time off as she celebrates her 30th birthday. “Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers and fans this week for making it possible ! Most of all thank you to the Founders who made all this possible for all of us, the women that paved the way for all girls out there to follow their dream in the game of golf . It’s because of them, that any of this is possible was a solid week first week back with a t13 finish, time to celebrate big 30 tomorrow and have some weeks off! #growthegame,” read the caption of her post with pictures from her recent outing.

This means she won’t play in the upcoming Asian swing but is considering teeing it up again in at the Ford Championship in Arizona in March and the JM Eagle LA Championship in California next April ahead of the season’s first major. But this news comes a dampener for fans hoping to see more of her in action.

Having burst onto the scene at just 12 years old, becoming the youngest qualifier in the history of the US Women’s Open in 2007, Thompson became one of the most biggest stars in women’s professional golf. She turned pro in 2010 and claimed the first of her 11 LPGA victories at the Navistar LPGA Classic in September 2011. Her lone major championship victory came at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.

While she is stepping away again for a break, we will see her compete a few times as she assured before the Founders Open, “I definitely plan on playing a few more times this year.” She’s made special appearances here and there, including at the Morgan & Friends golf tournament at St. Andrews Country Club, proving she’s still very much part of the game.

With a lighter schedule, Thompson will look to excel in the events she tees up for and may eye participation in the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills if she qualifies.

She is currently ranked 55th in the Rolex Rankings and must remain in the top 75 by March 24 to earn a spot in the first category of exempt players. However, if she falls out of the top 75 in that time, she could move into the top 75 by May 19 and get in the second category of exemptions.

Meanwhile, she might also want a better sendoff whenever she tees up for one final time than the one she got in November at CME Group Tour Championship. She was left to finish on the relatively quite atmosphere of the ninth instead of the spotlight on 18th due to a limited TV slot.

She had expressed her disappointment in an IG post. “Pretty sad when you’re at –4 in the season-ending event, which could easily be the last CME of your career, and you won’t even finish on 18 because they decide to double tee on the final day due to TV coverage window,” she wrote.

Her decision to retire as a full-time golfer did surprise many people, but in her retirement video she mentioned that mental health struggles due to the pressure of performing at a high level contributed to her decision. But apart from that it was going to be difficult to her to juggle a family with full-time golf, according to her.

To be honest, Thompson has a lot on her plate right now. She’s not just a golfer—she’s also a bride-to-be. With her latest shopping updates, it’s pretty clear why she might need a little time away.

And hey, while we’d love to see her competing, we’re also just as excited to see her donning that wedding dress, especially considering her top-notch fashion games.

The bride-to-be: Lexi Thompson’s next big chapter

Wedding bells are ringing! Lexi Thompson is officially off the market and set to marry her longtime boyfriend—and love of her life—Max Provost. If you’re wondering who the lucky guy is, Provost works as a Clinical Sales Representative at Intuitive Surgical. He mostly stays out of the spotlight, but fans first caught a glimpse of the couple together at the 2024 Solheim Cup, and now, well… here we are!

And let’s talk about that dreamy proposal for a second. Remember Lexi’s picture-perfect New Year’s trip to Whistler? At first, it seemed like just a cozy winter getaway—but little did we know it was about to turn into the engagement destination. On January 1st, she dropped the big news on Instagram:

“The best part of my trip to Whistler …. I said YES to my forever and always 1.1.25.”

The two have kept their relationship pretty low-key, but he’s been spotted supporting her here and there—he’s even caddied for her a few times. And for someone who has always been open about wanting to settle down, this is a huge moment.

 “I hope to have a family one day. And just enjoy every experience of that and be there for every single moment. That’s my No.1 priority,” Thompson said when announcing her decision to step back from full-time golf.

Now, as she balances golf, wedding planning, and the next phase of her life, one thing is for sure—Thompson’s future is looking brighter than ever.