Lexi Thompson is jumping back into competitive golf just months after stepping away from the full-time tour life. The former Major champion will tee it up at next week’s Founders Cup in Bradenton, Florida.
It’s been quite a winter for Thompson. She got engaged to Max Provost during a romantic trip to Whistler, Canada, and has been sharing glimpses of her practice sessions on social media.
The Founders Cup marks the first regular LPGA event of 2024, following this week’s exclusive 32-player Tournament of Champions.
When Thompson announced her retirement from full-time golf last year, she made it clear she wasn’t completely walking away from the game.
“It’s just from full-time golf,” she explained at the time. “I may tee it up a few times next year. I’m just going to take time for myself and take it day by day.”
She’s already locked in for several major championships this year. As a past champion, she’ll likely play in the Chevron Championship – which she won back in 2014 when it was called the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Her top-10 finish in 2023 earned her a spot in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Plus, her Solheim Cup appearance last year means she’s eligible for the AIG Women’s Open.
Thompson, who has won 11 times on the LPGA Tour, qualified for the Founders Cup by finishing 50th in last year’s CME Cup. She’ll be joined by another familiar face – recently retired Brittany Lincicome, who received a special invitation to play.
The tournament itself has gone through some big changes. Previously known as the Cognizant Founders Cup in New Jersey, it’s now sponsored by US Virgin Islands and has moved to Florida. It’s taking over the spot and venue of last year’s LPGA Drive On Championship.
Last time golf’s elite played this course, Nelly Korda came out on top, beating Lydia Ko in a playoff for one of her seven victories in 2023.
One notable absence will be defending champion Rose Zhang, who’s heading back to Stanford to finish her studies. Zhang had dominated last year’s event, shooting an impressive 24-under-par to beat Madelene Sagstrom.
