Lexi Thompson's Solheim Cup legacy is almost complete. Will there be another win?

GAINESVILLE, Virginia – The Americans are the clear favorites to win the Solheim Cup on Sunday and thus have the chance to send Lexi Thompson into the race as cup winner.

With a 10-6 lead over the Europeans heading into Sunday's singles, the USA need 4.5 points from 12 matches to win the Cup for the first time since 2017. Leading the charge are world number one Nelly Korda, who gained 7.5 strokes on the field yesterday; Lauren Coughlin, who was unbeaten as a rookie; and Rose Zhang, who has lost just one of her last 21 holes. All three are 3-0 so far.

But Thompson's influence this week cannot be underestimated, both on the court and in the team room. She and Coughlin beat Maja Stark and Georgia Hall 4&3 in foursomes on Saturday morning to claim the first point of the day. Thompson later made a late-match push against the fiery duo of Carlota Ciganda and Emily Pedersen, putting the Europeans under pressure for a must-have point.

The question now is whether Thompson can do something special in Sunday's singles match, where she will face Celine Boutier in the seventh match of the day. That would end her Solheim Cup career the way she wanted. That would only make sense.

Thompson, 29, announced this summer at the U.S. Women's Open that she will retire from professional golf in 2025. She hasn't defined her future specifically, but she has been considering reducing her professional golf schedule for longer than the public ever knew. “I'm not going to sit here and say that this hasn't crossed my mind in years past,” Thompson said at Lancaster Country Club. She didn't use the word “retirement,” but the decision was difficult for Thompson. During the announcement, she became emotional as she talked about her mental health and the rigors of professional golf. It's time for Thompson to walk away.

“A lot of people don't realize what we go through as professional athletes,” she said. “I'm the last person to say, 'Throw me a pity party.' That's the last thing I want. We do what we love. We do our best every day. We're not perfect. We're human. Words hurt.”

The low points of Thompson's career – difficulties completing majors, rules controversies included – have been paired with many highs. This event is one of them. The 2024 Solheim Cup will be her seventh appearance on the U.S. team, and she holds a match record of 10-9-7, 4-0-4 with American wins in 2015 and 2017, and ranks sixth all-time in points. Thompson has always stressed that making the U.S. team is her top priority as a player, and this year was no different. She has just a handful of LPGA starts left this calendar year: The following week, she'll play in Cincinnati and Arkansas. Then she'll play the Florida Swing for the final time. But Thompson has been putting in the work all season: She wanted to add Gainesville to her calendar.

“Even though I had my announcement in mind, I wanted to be here on U.S. soil at the beginning of the year and represent my country. That was my number one goal,” Thompson said Thursday.

LEXI THOMPSON HITS FROM THE EDGE OF THE BUNKER 🤯 pic.twitter.com/rdAS7lVjHo

— LPGA-USA (@LPGA) 14 September 2024

Thompson was selected as an at-large pick by U.S. captain Stacy Lewis, who has always been a strong believer in Thompson's relationship with the Solheim Cup. Lewis even picked Thompson in 2023 when she was in danger of losing her LPGA Tour card – a highly controversial decision. Lewis swears the event invigorates Thompson's game and brings out the best in her, physically, ball-striking and emotionally. On Sunday at Finca Cortesin, Lewis sent Thompson out last. She was the last man as the Americans went into the final day tied 8-8 with the Europeans. The European team retained the trophy when it was tied 14-14, but Thompson won her match against Pedersen 2&1. It was her third point of the week.

When asked what Thompson's Solheim Cup legacy was, Lewis replied that the Solheim Cup Is Thompson's legacy. Then she gave the still uncertain future US captain some friendly advice: Keep Lexi with you, you won't regret it.

“It's a huge gap. Whoever the next captain is, they need to hire her as an assistant, that's all I can say. Lexi needs to be in the team room. She needs to be with those girls. She's just a great energy to be around,” Lewis said Wednesday.

This emptiness is probably felt most strongly by the fans.

Thompson secured her victory in the morning foursome with Coughlin and immediately noticed a young girl volunteer walking around inside the barriers, cautiously waiting for an autograph. She walked right up to the girl, wearing a red visor, and signed her without being asked.

“Don't be shy,” Thompson said. The 11-time LPGA Tour winner then made a suggestion: “Let's take a picture. Thank you for being here.”

Later, as Thompson walked down the 13th fairway, one down to Ciganda and Pedersen, she dipped to high-five two more young girls, who squealed with excitement. That's just what Thompson does. That's why she plays the game, she says. The Solheim Cup embodies everything she still enjoys about professional golf.

“It was very important to me,” Thompson said. “Some of my fondest memories are from the Solheim Cup. It's important to represent my country. I did it as a junior and amateur at the Junior Solheim. There's nothing like standing on the tee and representing my country with my teammates. It's a great honor to be there on U.S. soil.”

Now it is time to retire the way she wants: as a winner.

(Top photo: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)