Career Timeline of Lexi Thompson: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Lexi Thompson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Lexi Thompson is a highly accomplished American professional golfer on the LPGA Tour. She achieved early recognition by being the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open in 2007 at age 12. Turning professional at 15, she quickly made her mark by becoming the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA tournament at 16, securing the Navistar LPGA Classic in 2011. Thompson further demonstrated her talent by winning the Dubai Ladies Masters that same year. In 2014, she captured her first major championship at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, solidifying her status as one of the youngest and most successful players in women's golf.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Qualified for U.S. Women's Open and Won Junior Tournaments

In 2007, Lexi Thompson qualified for the U.S. Women's Open as the youngest player and also won the Aldila Junior Classic, becoming the second-youngest winner in AJGA, and the Westfield Junior PGA Championship, becoming the youngest winner in Junior PGA Championship history.

2007: Youngest Golfer to Qualify for U.S. Women's Open

In 2007, at the age of 12, Lexi Thompson became the youngest golfer ever to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open at the time.

2008: Won U.S. Girls' Junior and Qualified for U.S. Women's Open

In 2008, Lexi Thompson won the U.S. Girls' Junior and qualified again for the U.S. Women's Open, though she failed to make the cut for the second time.

2009: Qualified and Competed in U.S. Women's Open and Navistar LPGA Classic

In 2009, Lexi Thompson qualified for the U.S. Women's Open for the third time and made the cut for the first time, finishing tied for 34th. Later that year, she Monday-qualified for the Navistar LPGA Classic and finished tied for 27th.

2009: Won Verizon Junior Heritage

In 2009, Lexi Thompson won the Verizon Junior Heritage after a sudden-death playoff with Laetitia Beck.

June 2010: Turned Pro

In June 2010, Lexi Thompson turned pro and played in non-LPGA tournaments through 2011.

June 16, 2010: Turned Professional and Signed Sponsorship Deals

On June 16, 2010, Lexi Thompson officially announced that she had turned professional. She also signed sponsorship deals with Cobra-PUMA Golf and Red Bull.

October 2010: Played on Fuzion Minor League Golf Tour

In October 2010, Lexi Thompson began playing in one-day tournaments on the Fuzion Minor League Golf Tour, a developmental tour aimed at men.

December 2010: Petitioned LPGA for More Tournament Exemptions

In December 2010, Lexi Thompson petitioned the LPGA to allow her to play in up to 12 LPGA tournaments in 2011 using sponsor exemptions, exceeding the limit allowed for non-members.

2010: Finished T2 at Evian Masters

In 2010, Lexi Thompson finished T2 at the Evian Masters, one shot behind the winner, earning $242,711. This result boosted her in the Women's World Golf Rankings.

2010: Played as Amateur

In 2010, Lexi Thompson, while still an amateur, participated in the Women's Australian Open, finishing T16, and made the cut at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, finishing T24.

January 2011: LPGA Denied Petition but Changed Qualifying Rules

In January 2011, Commissioner Mike Whan denied Lexi Thompson's petition, but the LPGA rules were changed to allow non-members to participate in Monday qualifying, effectively giving her more opportunities to play in tournaments in 2011.

February 2011: Competed in Women's Australian Open, ANZ Ladies Masters and Won Fuzion Tour Event

In February 2011, Lexi Thompson competed in the Women's Australian Open and the ANZ Ladies Masters. She also won a one-round Fuzion Tour event at her home course in Coral Springs, Florida.

September 18, 2011: Won Navistar LPGA Classic

On September 18, 2011, Lexi Thompson won the Navistar LPGA Classic at 16 years old, setting a new record as the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA tournament at the time.

September 30, 2011: LPGA Membership Approved

On September 30, 2011, Lexi Thompson's petition for LPGA membership was approved, making her a member of the tour for 2012.

December 17, 2011: Captured Dubai Ladies Masters

On December 17, 2011, Lexi Thompson won the Dubai Ladies Masters by four strokes, becoming the second-youngest winner of a Ladies European Tour event.

2011: Played as a non-LPGA Member

In 2011, Lexi Thompson played golf as a non-LPGA member after turning pro in June 2010.

2011: Played in LPGA Tournaments

Throughout 2011, Lexi Thompson participated in various LPGA tournaments, including the Avnet LPGA Classic and the Evian Masters, with mixed results. She also continued to play regularly on the Fuzion Tour during the spring and summer. In September, she achieved her first LPGA victory.

2012: Started as LPGA Member

After becoming an LPGA member in 2012, Lexi Thompson has earned $12,608,045 in 230 events over 10 years. By June 19, after her tie for fifth place, earning $79,951 at the Meijer LPGA Classic, she moved to 10th on the all-time career money list on the LPGA Tour.

2014: Won Kraft Nabisco Championship

In 2014, Lexi Thompson earned her fourth LPGA win and first major championship at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, becoming the second-youngest women's major winner at the time.

2016: Won Honda LPGA Thailand and World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup

In 2016, Lexi Thompson earned her seventh LPGA Tour win at the Honda LPGA Thailand. On the LPGA Tour of Japan, she earned her first victory at the World Ladies Championship Salonpas Cup.

November 18, 2018: Won CME Group Tour Championship

On November 18, 2018, Lexi Thompson won the CME Group Tour Championship with an 18-under total, giving her a four-shot victory over Nelly Korda. It was her first victory in over a year, earning her $500,000.

June 2, 2019: T2nd in U.S. Women's Open

On June 2, 2019, Lexi Thompson finished T2nd in the U.S. Women's Open at the Country Club of Charleston.

June 2021: Led U.S. Women's Open but Missed Playoff

In June 2021, Lexi Thompson led the U.S. Women's Open going into the last round but missed out on a playoff by one stroke after struggling on the back nine.

May 28, 2024: Announced Retirement From Full Time Golf

On May 28, 2024, Lexi Thompson, at age 29, announced her plans to retire from full-time golf at the end of the 2024 LPGA season, after 14 years as a professional golfer, citing that she will continue to play at a small number of events.