For the First Time Since That Week”: Lexi Thompson Shares Emotional Message After Missing U.S. Women’s Open

Lexi Thompson recently shared a poignant message on Instagram after missing the U.S. Women’s Open for the first time in nearly two decades. The 11-time LPGA Tour winner expressed a mixture of disappointment and immense pride regarding the conclusion of her historic streak, which consisted of 19 consecutive appearances in the prestigious major championship.

Thompson made history in 2007 when she became the then-youngest player to qualify for the tournament at just 12 years old. Reflecting on her debut at Pine Needles, she recalled her childhood dreams and practicing autographs, juxtaposing those early memories with the reality of maintaining a remarkably consistent career at the highest level of professional golf.

Her absence from this year’s field followed a decline in the Rolex World Rankings, where she sat at 98th, missing the automatic top-75 exemption. Without a tour victory since 2020, her final opportunity rested on a regional qualifying event in Florida, from which she ultimately withdrew to compete in a conflicting LPGA tournament.

Since transitioning away from full-time competition in 2024, Thompson has embraced a more balanced life, celebrating her recent engagement alongside a limited playing schedule. Despite the end of her consecutive appearance streak, her enduring legacy remains defined by decades of elite consistency that few modern golfers will ever replicate.