Beyond the Spotlight: Lexi Thompson’s Quiet Gesture Reveals the True Dynamic Between the LPGA and Its Sponsors

Some of the most defining moments in sports happen when the cameras are turned off. For LPGA superstar Lexi Thompson, a recent behind-the-scenes gesture has captured the attention of the golfing world, offering a rare glimpse into the deep sense of mutual respect between the tour’s elite players and its corporate partners.

The story emerged following the unfortunate cancellation of the 2025 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Heavy rainfall had completely derailed the unique three-round tournament. While the opening round on Friday, September 19, concluded without incident, torrential downpours forced a suspension of play on Saturday. Over three inches of rain fell overnight, leaving the Pinnacle Country Club course entirely unplayable by Sunday morning and forcing tournament management to cancel the remainder of the event. Because only 18 holes were completed, the tournament was declared unofficial.

Despite the disruption, the event’s co-sponsors, Walmart and Procter & Gamble, went well beyond their minimum $1.5 million commitment, distributing $2 million to the field to compensate the players for their time and preparation.

It was this exceptional support that prompted Thompson to take action.

Speaking on the No Laying Up podcast, LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler—who assumed leadership of the tour in May 2025—shared a revealing anecdote about Thompson’s immediate reaction to the news.

“I’m at my kid’s baseball game on a Sunday, and the phone rings, and it’s Lexi Thompson,” Kessler recalled. “She’s like, ‘Craig, what can I do to go say thank you?’ I said, ‘Lexi, senior leadership from Walmart, they’re at the course right now. If you could just stop by, give them a hug and a high five to say thank you, it would go a long way.’ Lexi says, ‘I’m in the gym right now. Give me like five minutes. I’ll go take a shower. I’ll head over to the course, and I’ll be right there.’”

Kessler emphasized that this was a superstar altering her personal routine purely out of gratitude, entirely independent of public relations staff or media obligations. “There were no cameras on,” Kessler noted. “But that’s the type of buy-in we have from our superstars.”

A Shared Sentiment Across the Tour
While Thompson delivered her appreciation in person, she also took to social media to publicly commend the sponsors’ enduring commitment, noting that Walmart and P&G have backed the LPGA Tour for nearly two decades.

“Such a bummer only getting 18 in at the @nwachampionship, but can’t control the weather unfortunately,” Thompson wrote on Instagram, extending her gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, fans, and course staff who worked tirelessly through the storm.

Thompson was far from alone in her praise. A wave of gratitude swept through the ranks of the LPGA, with several of the game’s top names echoing her sentiments:

Lilia Vu expressed her disappointment over the weather but tagged the event partners on her Instagram story, thanking them for making it “one of the best stops of the year.”

Nelly Korda shared a similar message, writing: “Thank you @nwachampionship for always taking such good care of us. Unfortunate end to one of the best weeks on tour.”

Auston Kim praised the city of Rogers, Arkansas, and the volunteer network, adding that even though Mother Nature had other plans, the collective effort of the sponsors made the week incredibly special.

In an era where professional sports partnerships can often feel transactional, the collective response from Thompson and her peers highlights a different kind of culture within the LPGA—one rooted in genuine gratitude and shared responsibility for the growth of the women’s game.