Lexi Thompson’s ‘New’ Life

From afar professional golfers appear to have an easy life. Playing a game for living with all the benefits derived from a successful pro career certainly can make that lifestyle seem like a dream come true.

But pro golfers aren’t immune to the trials of everyday life. They still have to deal with many of the same issues that we regular, working class people do. So when we hear a successful pro discuss how “hard life” is on tour we rarely feel any sympathy for a jet setting millionaire.

But golf isn’t the only thing that is hard. Life is hard too. And many of us feel the burden of problems that at times can be soul crushing.

Such was the case with the very successful and popular Lexi Thompson. Last month Lexi announced she was stepping away from the game and passing on the Women’s British Open because she needed a break. Lexi has had a trying time both on and off the course these past eighteen months.

She was at the center of a rules fiasco at the ANA Inspiration that cost her the tournament, missed a short putt on the verge of a win and was trying to help her mother as she dealt with a cancer diagnosis.

Life closed in on Lexi who has lived in a ‘golf bubble’ since she was five years old where her entire existence was tied to golf. But sometimes a girl needs a chance to grow up away from the spotlight and Lexi has rarely had that advantage.

Life…and it’s trials had finally caught up to the normally affable and accommodating twenty three year old.

“It was honestly just a buildup,” she said. “The last year and a half, I have honestly been struggling a lot, emotionally, and it’s hard because I can’t really show it. It was just so much to deal with, and I had to show that I was still okay and still play golf. And I don’t even know how I played that well, honestly. And I think it just kind of all hit me coming into this year.

“You can only stay strong for so long and hide it. I am a very strong person, but at times you just need a break.”

This season hasn’t been a total washout for Lexi as she has finished in the top ten in five tournaments and still sits at number five in the world.

“You just have to take the positive out of everything, realize that I have had a great year. I haven’t won, but I’m trying my best in every tournament, that’s all I can do.”

“I’m not just a robot out here. I need to have a life.”

“I’m not just a golfer, I need to have a life as well and enjoy it.”

“I would say it’s just figuring out what really makes me happy off the golf course, as well, figuring myself out,”

Forget the wins and losses. If she can finish this season with new found outlook on her life where her happiness wins out I would say that this season has been a success.

It’s just golf…not life. Life is so much more important.