6 big name LPGA Golfers retiring from the LPGA Tour after 2024 ft. Lexi Thompson

The 2024 LPGA Tour came to an end at the CME Group Tour Championship that took place at The Tiburon Golf Course in Naples, Florida. The tournament was a swansong for several players. Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul won the tournament while Angel Lin and Olympic champion Lydia Ko finished second and third, respectively.

The tournament also marked the retirement of 12 LPGA players, with some of them achieving big in the sport. On that note, let us take a look at six prominent female golfers who willbid farewell to the sport after the 2024 season.

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#1 Lexi Thompson

Lexi Thompson at the 2024 Solheim Cup (Image via Imagn)

Lexi Thompson joined the LPGA Tour in 2012 and has since played a vital role in growing the game. With eleven victories and one major title, she has been a part of the Solheim Cup for six editions and the International Crown four times.

She shot to fame in 2007 as she became the youngest golfer in history to qualify for the US Women's Open and the second youngest AJGA (American Junior Golf Association) winner at the young age of 12. On May 28, Thompson announced her retirement following the conclusion of the 2024 LPGA Tour season.

The two-time Olympian made the announcement on her Instagram platform along with a video, talking about the highs and lows of playing competitive golf at such a young age. At the 2024 US Women's Open, she cited mental health as the reason behind her decision to step down.

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#2 Catriona Matthew

Catriona Matthew at the Solheim Cup (Image via Imagn)

Catriona Matthew joined the LPGA Tour in 1995 and has decided to retire at the age of 55. The four-time LPGA Tour winner played a massive role in shaping women's golf in Europe. Having taken part in nine editions of the Solheim Cup, she served as the European team's vice-captain in 2017 and went on to captain the team to victory in 2019.

The 2016 Olympian confirmed ahead of the 2024 AIG Women's Open that she will be setting her clubs aside to focus on her family. Matthew revealed at the event that she no longer feels competitive enough to continue playing on the Tour.

#3 Angela Stanford

Angela Stanford (Image via Imagn)

Having joined the LPGA Tour in 2001, Angela Stanford has gathered seven victories and one major win. The six-time Solheim Cup star made her mark by qualifying for the Tour on her first attempt and went on to serve as a member of the LPGA Player Executive Committee.

On April 24, Stanford announced her retirement at the age of 46. With an incredible 98 consecutive major championship starts, she was a commentator for the Golf Channel in 2023 and is a strong candidate to be a future Solheim Cup captain.

#4 Ally Ewing

Ally Ewing at the Solheim Cup (Image via Getty)

Ally Ewing made her first appearance on the LPGA Tour in 2016 and has since gathered three victories and three Solheim Cup appearances. She played her last professional event yesterday at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship where she tied for 16th place with an impressive eleven-under-par score.

At 32 years of age, Ewing announced her retirement two months ago. She cited being away from family took a big hit on her mental health while traveling for tournaments.

#5 Marina Alex

Marina Alex, Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational (Image via Getty)

Marina Alex has been a member of the LPGA Tour since 2013. With two career wins and over $5 million in official earnings, she has decided to step down at the age of 34.

She played her last round of professional golf at the 2024 CME Group Tour Championship and was tied for 12th place with an impressive 12 under-par score.

#6 So Yeon Ryu

So Yeon Ryu, KPMG Women's PGA Championship (Image via Imagn)

The COVID pandemic played a massive role in So Yeon Ryu's decision to retire from professional golf. The South Korean golfer realized she missed living in her native and wanted to move back to have a stable life with her family.

She made her last start on the LPGA Tour earlier this year at the Chevron Championship where she missed the cut. With six career wins and over $12.2 million in official earnings, Ryu has retired from professional golf at the age of 34.