According to Doug Ferguson of The Associated Press on Tuesday, women’s golf star Lexi Thompson of Coral Springs, Florida has withdrawn from the 2024 Evian Championship in France. The news comes as somewhat of a surprise because when she announced her retirement at the end of the 2024 season at the United States Women’s Open, Thompson also stated she intended to play a full schedule of women’s golf the rest of the calendar year. Thompson’s schedule plans apparently excluded the fourth of five majors of the season.
Since Thompson’s stunning retirement announcement, the world number 33 lost in a playoff to world number two Lilia Vu of Fountain Valley, California at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thompson and Vu entered the LPGA playoff as major champions. Thompson won the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, California, and Vu won the 2023 Chevron Championship and the 2023 Women’s British Open. The other player in the playoff was Australian Grace Kim of Sydney.
Thompson was also the leader at the United States Women’s Open after round one a month ago. However, she dropped down to ninth place with a score of -1, and six strokes back of the eventual champion, Amy Yang of South Korea.
It should be noted that Thompson has not participated at the Evian Championship since 2019, After competing at the 2019 Evian Championship, she was critical of the course overall. In an Instagram post, Thompson stated she thought she should be awarded for more of her shots.
Thrice before Thompson finished in the top 10 at the Evian Championship. She was third in 2013, 10th in 2014, and second in 2015.
