Lexi Thompson’s Absence Grows More Noticeable as Women’s Golf Heads Into Final Major
Lexi Thompson, once a staple on the biggest stages of women’s golf, is now notably absent from key events like the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open—a crucial lead-up to the season’s final major, the AIG Women’s Open. Her decision not to play full-time, announced last year, has made tournaments feel a bit emptier for fans and competitors alike.
The Scottish Open is more than just another tournament. Its links-style setup offers a rare and valuable chance for players to adjust to the firm fairways, unpredictable winds, and deep bunkers typical of the AIG Women’s Open. Thompson understands the challenge well, having missed the cut at that major in both 2013 and 2014. Her absence this week could put her at a disadvantage if she decides to compete at Royal Porthcawl.
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While Lexi is skipping the Scottish Open, others are stepping in. Nelly Korda is set to make her first appearance in the event, calling it a special opportunity to play in golf’s birthplace and praising the passion of the local fans. Meanwhile, Lexi was recently spotted at Baltusrol Golf Club for a Mizuho Americas outing—keeping active, but choosing her events carefully.
So far this year, Thompson has played in just eight events and even skipped the Amundi Evian Championship for the fifth year in a row. Once a regular at that major—with a runner-up finish in 2015—she has been gradually removing it from her calendar after repeated missed cuts. That same pattern seems to be forming around the AIG Women’s Open as well. Though she competed last year at St. Andrews with high hopes, her recent form has raised doubts. She missed the cut at both the U.S. Women’s Open and Chevron Championship in 2023, and again at the U.S. Women’s Open this season.
Thompson’s last professional win came in 2019. Since then, she’s endured a string of near-misses—most notably at the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open, where she lost a five-shot lead in the final round, and at the 2022 Women’s PGA Championship, where two late bogeys cost her the title. These heartbreaks may have led her to reconsider the emotional toll of chasing majors week in and week out.
Her decision to step back wasn’t rooted in a loss of love for the sport, but in the need for balance and mental peace. Speaking during the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, Thompson emphasized how a limited schedule gave her space to enjoy the game on her own terms. “It just has put my mind a lot more at ease, just playing when I want,” she said.
Now, instead of chasing points or headlines, she chooses tournaments that truly matter to her. Whether she tees it up at the AIG Women’s Open or not, her absence already feels significant. Lexi Thompson has left a lasting mark on women’s golf—and while fans may miss her regular presence, her decision to prioritize herself could become her most inspiring legacy yet.