News

Lexi Thompson: “I need to have a life”

Published

8 years ago

Aug 15, 2018

Lexi Thompson has been a high-level, highly visible professional golfer since she was 15, and her life has been centered around the game since she was five. For we average folk, the pressure inside the ropes and the obligations outside them that such a life engenders are without parallel.

After a particularly grueling stretch, Thompson, arguably the face of the LPGA Tour, was understandably worn down. She took a month-long break from the game and, really, the demands of her celebrity.

The 23-year-old skipped last month’s Ricoh Women’s British Open. She’ll return to competition at this week’s Indy Women in Tech Championship.

“I’m not just a robot out here,” she told reporters ahead of the tournament. “I need to have a life.”

In the past 18 months, the Coral Springs, Florida, native has dealt with her mother’s cancer, the death of her grandmother, and of course, the ANA Inspiration debacle.

“You can only stay strong for so long and hide it,” Thompson said.

Thompson also told reporters she took a trip with friends and shelved her golf clubs for two weeks.

Full press conference, below.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

22 Comments

James

Jun 28, 2023 at 9:02 pm

Lexi we sure wish her the best and happiness! But, If anyone thinks she can compete with the best by not competing on a regular basis doesn’t get it! If she thinks she can win without that ………someone needs to give her the real talk!!!! Obviously she has made new goals…..
I could help her be a very very good putter or at least where she is way more natural and confident. She is tremendously better for sure right now than she has been. Have one of her handlers send me a email. What would it hurt! Always have fun.

Reply Report comment
MG

Aug 18, 2018 at 8:46 am

That or she just really hates paying UK taxes and doesn’t like playing the Ladies British…

Reply Report comment
Bob McNichols

Aug 17, 2018 at 12:28 pm

I remember playing in a Junior-Am in 2009 and the privilege of riding in the Golf car with her that day. She was 14. Living at home in Florida. I asked where she went to school. She said she was home schooled. I asked how she met other kids her age. She said at golf tournaments like the one we were at in Missouri. I felt immediately Lexi and kids like her were being robbed of a childhood and socialization outside of their sport. I was not surprised to read of her burn out at 23 years old and I’m glad she recognized it and is dealing with it for her own good. Congratulations and best wishes to Lexi and kids in all sports who need to have a life outside of their sport while playing and learning about life on the outside of the grueling pace of junior sports and at the highest level they can achieve.

Reply Report comment
Midwest Blade

Aug 17, 2018 at 11:13 am

She has been on the stage for several years, probably missed a few things over those years when golf at the LPGA level took over. I give her full rights and respect to take a breather. The ladies play for so much less than the men, most of the top players play week after week just to make a decent living which is why I like to follow the Ladies tour, at least you see some of the big stars at just about every tournament.

Reply Report comment
- Southeast super game improvement
  
  Aug 17, 2018 at 12:52 pm
  
  Good call blade. She no doubt appreciated your permission.
  
  Reply Report comment
Sahil Singh

Aug 17, 2018 at 6:33 am

she takes one tournament off, stating that she wants to work on her life. either she has a really short life to work on or maybe her issues are just too small. Mental strength is lacking. she’s the Rickie Fowler of the LPGA (plus 1 major), one of the most absolutely over rated players on tour.

Reply Report comment
jeff

Aug 16, 2018 at 1:38 pm

This is such a perspective arguement.
If a magic geenie said you can become a professional athlete right now, yes or no?
EVERYONE would say yes. BUT, being a professional athlete is also very stressful and requires way more work and commitment than most of us are willing to give. It seems like the perfect life but eventually the stress gets to you. So, eventually there will be a breaking point in which you will need some time to yourself.

Reply Report comment
dj

Aug 16, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Golf is her job. How many of you would just stop working because you wanted a life?

Reply Report comment
- MBA-J
  
  Aug 16, 2018 at 6:18 pm
  
  How many of us have taken a mental day or a quick vacation because we wanted a break? She skipped a tournament…it’s not like she retired.
  
  Reply Report comment
- A. Commoner
  
  Aug 16, 2018 at 7:05 pm
  
  This is dime store novel stuff. Who does not have adversity in their life? Advice: quit what you’re doing, move to Nowhere USA, and get a job in an office clerical pool.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Realist
  
  Aug 16, 2018 at 9:24 pm
  
  You have no idea what they are talking about…u must be happy with ur job!
  
  Reply Report comment
Scott McDonald

Aug 16, 2018 at 12:41 pm

Maybe cut down on the Instagram pics.

Reply Report comment
- The dude
  
  Aug 16, 2018 at 5:15 pm
  
  Bingo
  
  Reply Report comment
Brett Weir

Aug 16, 2018 at 12:23 pm

She’s been through a lot these past few months. I’m sure she’ll be ok in the end.

Reply Report comment
Geohogan

Aug 16, 2018 at 11:41 am

Wish the best for Lexi. Hope that she takes at least 6 months.

Health, including mental health is much more important than golf.

Reply Report comment
CJ

Aug 16, 2018 at 7:15 am

I met her when she was 14 playing golf all day every day would mess with anyone… period. Other than that… dramatic this is not.

Reply Report comment
Liberty Apples

Aug 15, 2018 at 10:29 pm

Face of the LPGA tour? Apparently you’ve missed perhaps the greatest transformation of a professional sport in history. You want the face of the LPGA tour? Pick one from South Korea.

Reply Report comment
- gunmetal
  
  Aug 16, 2018 at 1:29 am
  
  “arguably”, so chill out a tad. The best American in any international sport will always have a level of prominence. Not to mention she’s pretty freaking good, too.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - millennial82
    
    Aug 16, 2018 at 3:18 pm
    
    what about soccer? oh, maybe that’s too International..
    
    Reply Report comment
- O sh t
  
  Aug 16, 2018 at 2:18 am
  
  Face of the white American female player of the LPGA, yes.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Andrew Reagan Mclaughlin
    
    Aug 16, 2018 at 5:11 am
    
    Black power!
    
    Reply Report comment
    - The dude
      
      Aug 16, 2018 at 5:14 pm
      
      ……that didn’t take long…
      
      Reply Report comment

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Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
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Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

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