Lexi Thompson Faces Heat Over Slow Play—But Is She Really to Blame?
Lexi Thompson’s name has become central in the ongoing debate about slow play in women’s golf. Ironically, it was Thompson herself who first raised alarms about the issue at The Annika in late 2024. “I don’t really know why it’s gotten worse, but it has unfortunately,” she had said. Fast forward seven months, and she found herself at the heart of the very controversy she once called out—this time at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.
<strong>A Round of Frustration and Viral Clips</strong>
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Teaming up with Charley Hull and Nelly Korda, two of the fastest players on the LPGA Tour, Thompson’s pace came under scrutiny almost immediately. Social media exploded after a clip showed Hull visibly sighing while waiting on Thompson to complete a putt. While the clip sparked fan outrage, it didn’t tell the full story. According to Thompson, their group wasn’t penalized, warned, or ever “on the clock.” She explained that they had been held up by the group ahead throughout the round.
<strong>Lexi Speaks Out</strong>
In an Instagram post addressing both her performance and the controversy, Thompson wrote:
> “I’ll be the first one to say I’m not as fast as my playing partners the two days, but I’m also the last person that wants to be out there for six hours… So before you make assumptions, make sure you get all the facts right before basing it on pictures and little clips.”
She also dismissed retirement rumors and expressed gratitude toward fans and organizers, noting that although her game wasn’t where she wanted it to be, she fought hard all week.
<strong>The Bigger Picture: Pace of Play Problems Run Deep</strong>
The controversy surrounding Thompson isn’t isolated. Other rounds at Erin Hills stretched far beyond expected time limits. Journalist Beth Ann Nichols pointed out on Twitter that the final group took over three hours just to play the front nine. In total, some rounds ran close to six hours.
To address the growing concern, the LPGA implemented new pace-of-play policies in March 2025. These include:
Fines for players 1–5 seconds over time.
One-stroke penalties for 6–15 seconds over.
Two-stroke penalties for anything over 16 seconds.
However, enforcement has been inconsistent, especially during major tournaments governed by USGA rules.
<strong>Qualifier Controversy Adds More Tension</strong>
At a recent U.S. Open qualifier in Naples, Florida, nine players—including Aline Krauter—were penalized for slow play. Krauter, despite playing what she described as “ready golf,” was docked a stroke when her group missed a checkpoint by 20 minutes. She expressed frustration over the appeal process, saying it lacked transparency and fairness.
<strong>Was Lexi Thompson a Scapegoat?</strong>
Given that neither Hull nor Thompson cracked the top 30, and with external factors like group pacing and course conditions in play, it’s hard to definitively pin the blame on Thompson. Many believe the viral video distorted public perception and unfairly made her the face of a broader LPGA issue.
With new rules now in effect and officials under pressure to enforce them more consistently, the slow play debate in women’s golf is far from over. But one thing is certain—Lexi Thompson isn’t backing down, and neither is the spotlight.