2024 AIG Women's Open: Lexi Thompson readies for retirement

Lexi Thompson, like so many others this week, understands the magnitude of the fairways she will be walking this week. "It’s such a special place," she says. "St Andrews, just walking around the town. The golf course is one thing, an amazing golf course, but just walking around the town, the people that are out, they just love the game of golf. They respect it. They’re just such genuine people."

For Thompson, the allure of St Andrews extends beyond the links. The town itself, with its deep-rooted golfing culture, provides an inspiring atmosphere. “I think all of us players just love coming back to the Home of Golf. The course is in great shape. The weather is a little patchy, but we expect that. But it's great to be back here, and hoping for the best,” she adds, acknowledging the unique challenges that come with links golf.

Adapting to links golf

As a Florida native, Thompson grew up playing a different style of golf. The shift to the unpredictable and often harsh conditions of links golf has been an adjustment, but one that she has learned to embrace. "I think coming over here, you have to learn to enjoy it because growing up in Florida, it’s definitely a whole different game of golf," Thompson explains. In Florida, the approach is straightforward, get the number to the pin and execute. But in the UK, it’s a different story.

"When you come here, you have a lot of different visuals and a lot more shot-making, I think, but it tests you. It really tests your patience and it tests what kind of shots you really have in your bag". This adaptability is key to success in a place like St Andrews, where the weather can be as much an opponent as the course itself.

The weight of the moment

The significance of this tournament isn’t lost on Thompson, even more so since she announced earlier in the year that she intends to give up playing full time on the LPGA tour after this season. "Sometimes it definitely hits me. It’s a big deal to be here at the Home of Golf. St Andrews is such an amazing opportunity just to be able to play golf here, and what AIG does for this tournament has really made an impact on women’s golf. I think that’s what we really need to appreciate."

"Going into next year, I’m going to take some time off and just see how I feel, see how I feel mentally and where I’m at. But I know I have a few majors if I want to be able to tee it up there and get my game ready."

A dream finish

Unsurprisingly, winning at St Andrews would be a dream come true for Thompson, especially with the added significance of potentially being her last major on British soil. "It would mean the world to me, honestly. At the Home of Golf? It doesn’t get much better than that. And being a major championship, it would be a dream come true."

However, she remains grounded, aware of the challenges that lie ahead. "There’s so much golf to be played, and weeks like this you just have to stay in the moment and take one shot at a time, be patient, know there will be bad breaks or some bad shots. You just have to get through them with a positive attitude and keep on going."

Tickets, including limited hospitality options, are still on sale for the AIG Women’s Open and can be purchased via the AIG Women’s Open ticket page here