The 79th USWO is underway in Lancaster — Lexi Thompson’s retirement
By Addie Parker
The IX: Golf Thursday with Addie Parker, May 30, 2024
Happy Golf Thursday and happy opening round of the 79th U.S. Women’s Open! The LPGA and USGA are in Lancaster, PA for the week, where players will be tested to their absolute limits. Deceivingly long with fluctuating elevation—Lancaster has it all—and our TV screens won’t do it justice.
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Round one is already underway, and there have already been some rather shocking results, especially on the 12th hole.
Earlier this morning, Columbian golfer Mariajo Uribe was one of the first victims of the lethal par-3, carding a six-over nine.
And shortly after, World No.1 Nelly Korda’s round struck disaster with a 10 on the hole.
What is it about the hole that makes it so difficult?
The par-3 sits at 181 yards, playing from an elevated tee that drops down about 50 feet to the green (that also happens to be less than 20 yards deep) and is capped off by water short of the green.
During her Tuesday press conference, Korda explained why the hole is so unsettling to her, “From the tee box you can’t see how sloped of a green that is, but then once you get onto that green you’re like, oh, my gosh, you’re coming in with a 6-iron.
If you’re long, in a sense, you’re kind of screwed. If you’re short, you’re screwed too.”
In 2015, the last time the USWO was hosted at Lancaster CC, tournament stats recorded 31 double bogeys made on No. 12…another week of catastrophe may be ahead for the world’s best players.
Congruently, defending champion Allisen Corpuz is steadily cruising.
She made the turn at one-over (+1).
The USGA in partnership with NBCUniversal is set to have expansive coverage of the tournament all weekend long, showcasing 26 live hours on Peacock, USA Network, and NBC. USA Network and Peacock will combine to present 16 hours of live coverage on Thursday and Friday and six of the 10 hours will air on NBC over the weekend.
See the full coverage schedule here, and follow the live leaderboard here!
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This week in women’s golf
If you have links you wish to share for Golf Thursday, sources for golf news, or want to talk about anything at all, you can email me at addieparker25@theixsports.com ! Discussion of any kind is always welcome…I mean it…MESSAGE ME!
LPGA News
Who is ready to pass the toughest test in women’s golf?
The Unknowable Nelly Korda: What does the superstar owe her sport?
Where the U.S. Women’s Open will be won and lost at Lancaster Country Club
LET News
Morgane Metraux of Switzerland wins the Jabra Ladies Open
Field Breakdown: Dormy Open Helsingborg
Five things to know about the Dormy Open
After her best finish last week in France, rookie Lauren Walsh is settling in
Epson Tour News
Get to know the 21 Epson Tour athletes competing at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open
NCAA/Amateur News
Meet the amateurs teeing it up in the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open
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Five at The IX: Lexi Thompson announces retirement ahead of USWO
Thompson made her U.S. Women’s Open debut at the 2007 championship, and throughout her career, she has made an incomparable impact on the women’s game. On Tuesday, the 15-time winner took to Instagram to announce her retirement from golf after the 2024 season.
She spoke to the media Tuesday afternoon.
Q. I know it’s been a really storied career over the past few years, since 2007. What’s continued to motivate you as you’ve progressed, and maybe what are you most looking for in this next chapter?
LEXI THOMPSON: I would say what’s motivated me, a few things. With golf being such an incredibly challenging sport that you can never perfect, I’ve always — growing up with two older brothers, playing against them I’ve always wanted to beat them. That’s the driving force to go out there every single day and improve on the challenges I was faced with.
Out here what’s pushed me and dedicated me has been the fans. Seeing little girls and little boys out there cheering me on — even like today, there were so many people out there. That warms my heart. It makes the game. It makes me want to be out there to play. They’ve really pushed me, and I love every single fan.
Q. I know you’ve just announced. Have you had a chance to reflect yet? Are you reflecting as you walk around here and thinking about those other 17 U.S. Opens?
LEXI THOMPSON: I don’t know if I’m thinking about all 17, but yes, reflecting. I’ve been out here, this is my 14th full-time year. Golf has been my life ever since I was 5 years old, and tournaments when I was 7. I haven’t really known much of a life different, but it’s been an amazing one.
This sport has taught me a lot, and I’ve learned so much along the way, built so many friendships and relationships. I’m looking forward to what life has in store.
Q. How did you know that now is the time, and what are the factors that went into making your decision?
LEXI THOMPSON: Like I said, it’s my 14th year. I’m not going to sit here and say it hasn’t crossed my mind in past years, in the past few years, but I feel like I’m at a point in my life where it is time to step away from a full-time schedule.
There’s more things to life than going to a tournament every week and doing the same training every day. There’s just more to it, and I’m looking forward to experiencing that. I feel like I’m very content with where my life is and where this decision will lead me to.
Yeah, I’m just looking forward to what life has in store other than golf.
Q. You mention retirement from a full-time playing schedule. Are you still planning on playing any competitive golf?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I’m taking it day by day right now. I’m not going to say yes or no on how many events I’ll play or if I do. I’m just going to take it day by day and see how I feel, especially going into next year.
But I’m very content with this being my last full-time schedule year.
Q. Earlier in your post you mentioned some of the struggles you’ve dealt with throughout your career. What are you proud of yourself for overcoming?
LEXI THOMPSON: That’s a great question. I think honestly just staying true to myself. Being out here can be a lot. It can be lonely. Sorry if I get emotional. I said I wasn’t going to. (Crying).
I just think, especially with what’s happened in golf, as of recent too, a lot of people don’t — they don’t realize a lot of what we go through as a professional athletes.
(Author’s note: Thompson was referring to the recent news about the passing of two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray.)
I’ll be the last one to say like throw me a pity party. That’s the last thing I want. We’re doing what we love. We’re trying our best every single day. You know, we’re not perfect. We’re humans. Words hurt. It’s hard to overcome sometimes.
But having the people around you that love you and support you, I feel like that’s been the biggest thing for me. I might not have a huge friend group, but to have the people that matter the most around me has gotten me through some really hard times.
I think it’s a lot for everyone out here or in any professional sport. A lot of people don’t know what we go through. The amount of training and hard work that we put ourselves through, it’s a lot. I don’t think we deserve — I think we deserve a lot more credit than what we get.
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