Lexi Thompson is unsure whether this weekend’s Solheim Cup will be her final as a player, but the acclaimed American sees herself remaining involved with the event for years to come.
Speaking with the media on Wednesday ahead of her seventh Solheim Cup appearance for Team USA, Thompson, 29, was asked about her future role with the U.S. team should she follow through on her plan to retire from professional golf at year’s end.
“I haven’t thought too much ahead, but of course I’d love to be still a part of it in any way,” Thompson said. “I know how special it’s meant to me and how many memories and relationships and friendships I’ve made throughout the Solheim Cup. So I’d love to be a part of it.”
Thompson has tallied 12 1/2 points and helped Team USA win two cup titles since debuting at the biennial event as an 18-year-old in 2013. She went 3-1-0 at last year’s event in Malaga, Spain, which ended in a 14-14 tie that allowed Team Europe to retain the cup.
The Solheim Cup transitioned to even-numbered years to avoid overlapping with the Ryder Cup. Thompson was selected for this year’s event, which starts Friday at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, Va., by captain Stacy Lewis as the Americans bid for their first cup win since 2017.
Thompson said she has not been emotional this week as her potential Solheim Cup farewell looms.
“I’ve just been having a lot of fun alongside my teammates and assistant captains and captain,” she said.
” … Just really embracing the moment. This is my favorite event that I’ve ever played in my career. So enjoying the fans out there, signing the autographs, hearing the slow chants out there right now building up. So just enjoying every step along the way.”
Thompson has 11 career LPGA wins since joining the tour in 2012. Her last victory came at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Absecon, N.J., in June 2019.