Lexi Thompson shocks golf world by retiring aged 29

‌Thompson re-emphasised her quality a few weeks after the Solheim when coming within a few shots of making the cut in a PGA Tour event in Las Vegas. In truth, her career – although lit up with milestone such as becoming the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour when she was 16 – has been as famous for its crushing disappointments as much as her successes.

‌Most notoriously, Thompson was hit with a four-shot penalty when leading in the final round of the 2017 Kraft Nabisco because of a controversial rules violation the day before and then four years later she lost a five-shot advantage on the Sunday in the US Women’s Open.

‌The news surprised everyone, including Thompson’s team-mate Nelly Korda. At Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, he world No 1 is trying to win her first US Women’s Open, which would be her second major in succession and her sixth victory in her last seven events.

‌But it says plenty about Thompson’s celebrity that Korda was questioned about the 15-time winner in her press conference.

‌“I honestly heard probably 15 minutes ago,” Korda said. “I’ve been on the team with Lexi a couple times representing our country. It’s sad to see that she’s leaving and not going to be out here with us anymore.”