In 2007, at just 12 years of age, Lexi Thompson became the youngest golfer to qualify for the US Women's Open. She failed to make the cut but her record stood for seven years, before Lucy Li surpassed her in 2014.
In 2007, at just 12 years of age, Lexi Thompson became the youngest golfer to qualify for the US Women's Open. She failed to make the cut but her record stood for seven years, before Lucy Li surpassed her in 2014.
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A year later, Thompson went on to win the US Girl's Junior championship and again qualified for the US Women's Open -- with her brother, PGA TOUR player Nicholas Thompson, there to help. She again failed to make the cut, but it would be a case of third time lucky ...
A year later, Thompson went on to win the US Girl's Junior championship and again qualified for the US Women's Open -- with her brother, PGA TOUR player Nicholas Thompson, there to help. She again failed to make the cut, but it would be a case of third time lucky ...
Scott Halleran/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
With her dad as caddy in 2009, Thompson qualified for her third successive US Women's Open, this time making the cut and finishing an impressive tied 34th.
With her dad as caddy in 2009, Thompson qualified for her third successive US Women's Open, this time making the cut and finishing an impressive tied 34th.
Scott Halleran/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
For the first half of 2010, Thompson continued competing as an amateur and her results only got better. At the Women's Australian Open, she finished T16, before going on to play a crucial part in Team USA's Curtis Cup victory.
For the first half of 2010, Thompson continued competing as an amateur and her results only got better. At the Women's Australian Open, she finished T16, before going on to play a crucial part in Team USA's Curtis Cup victory.
Mark Dadswell/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
In June, Thompson announced she would be turning professional, just in time for her fourth consecutive US Women's Open. Thompson recorded her best ever finish at the tournament, tying for 10th and scooping her first professional paycheck -- a cool $72,131.
In June, Thompson announced she would be turning professional, just in time for her fourth consecutive US Women's Open. Thompson recorded her best ever finish at the tournament, tying for 10th and scooping her first professional paycheck -- a cool $72,131.
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In 2010, Thompson recorded her best Tour finish, tying second at the Evian Masters and finishing just one shot behind eventual winner Jiyai Shin. Thompson received $242,711 for her efforts ... not a bad pay day for a 15-year-old!
In 2010, Thompson recorded her best Tour finish, tying second at the Evian Masters and finishing just one shot behind eventual winner Jiyai Shin. Thompson received $242,711 for her efforts ... not a bad pay day for a 15-year-old!
Stuart Franklin/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Thompson claimed her first ever LPGA Tour victory at the 2011 Navistar Classic. At the age of just 16, she became the youngest ever winner on the LPGA Tour. However, Lydia Ko would surpass her record 11 months later.
Thompson claimed her first ever LPGA Tour victory at the 2011 Navistar Classic. At the age of just 16, she became the youngest ever winner on the LPGA Tour. However, Lydia Ko would surpass her record 11 months later.
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After winning the Navistar Classic, Thompson successfully petitioned for a waiver which saw the LPGA allow her to become a Tour member, despite not yet being 18 years old. In 2013, Thompson won her second Tour event, the 2013 Sime Darby, and the third, Lorena Ochoa Invitational, followed soon after.
After winning the Navistar Classic, Thompson successfully petitioned for a waiver which saw the LPGA allow her to become a Tour member, despite not yet being 18 years old. In 2013, Thompson won her second Tour event, the 2013 Sime Darby, and the third, Lorena Ochoa Invitational, followed soon after.
Stanley Chou/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Thompson won her first major a year later, famously jumping into the lake with caddie Benji Thompson (no relation) after victory in the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Thompson won her first major a year later, famously jumping into the lake with caddie Benji Thompson (no relation) after victory in the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
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Still only 23, Thompson has gone on to win nine LGPA Tour titles in total, the latest coming at the 2017 Indy Women in Tech Championship.
Still only 23, Thompson has gone on to win nine LGPA Tour titles in total, the latest coming at the 2017 Indy Women in Tech Championship.
Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Lexi Thompson's career in pictures

Story highlights

Lexi Thompson withdraws from August's British Open

American golfer cites emotional and mental fatigue

World No. 5's mother has been battling cancer

CNN  — 

American golf star Lexi Thompson has withdrawn from next week’s British Open, revealing that the last 18 months have taken a “tremendous toll” on her wellbeing.

In an Instagram post, the 23-year-old major winner said events both on and off the course had affected her.

“It is extremely difficult for me not to play in this prestigious major, but I realized recently that I need to take some time to work on myself,” read Thompson’s heartfelt post.

Thompson cries as she walks to the 18th green after her second shot during the final round of the ANA Inspiration
Thompson cries as she walks to the 18th green after her second shot during the final round of the ANA Inspiration
Robert Laberge/Getty Images North America/Getty Images

As recently as March, Thompson admitted she still has “nightmares” about the four-stroke penalty which denied her victory at the ANA Inspiration in April 2017, while her mother, Judy, was diagnosed with uterine cancer in May 2017 and had to undergo a hysterectomy and five radiation treatments.

The American told Golf Digest last November that her mother, whom Thompson has described as “my best friend” and “the strongest woman I know,” had been given the all-clear by doctors.

But in September last year Thompson’s grandmother died, prompting the golfer to step away from social media for a period.

“The events of the past year and a half (on and off the golf course) have taken a tremendous toll on me both mentally and emotionally,” added Thompson.

“I have not truly felt like myself for quite some time. I am therefore taking this time to recharge my mental batteries, and to focus on myself away from the game of professional golf.”

The world No. 5 said she planned to return to defend her title at the Indy Women in Tech Championship on August 16.

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EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 12: Lexi Thompson of USA speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the start of The Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on September 12, 2017 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Bolt and pancakes: Lexi Thompson's perfect day
01:43 - Source: CNN

‘Nightmares’

Closing in on a second major title of her burgeoning career at the 2017 ANA Inspiration, Thompson was reduced to tears when an eagle-eyed TV viewer alerted officials to a rules infringement, resulting in a four-stroke penalty.

Visibly shaken, the nine-time LPGA Tour winner rallied to force a playoff with South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu, but was unable to fully recover.

The rules have since changed, with officials no longer considering viewer call-ins, but Thompson said in March: “I was screaming, crying. You know, I’ve relived it for a while.”

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Things didn’t get any easier at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, where Thompson inexplicably missed a two-foot putt at the 18th that ultimately handed victory to Ariya Jutanugarn.

Had she not rolled her ball right of the cup, both the trophy and Player of the Year honors would likely have been hers. As it was, she had to dust herself down and give another difficult press conference.

“I don’t really know what happened there,” said Thompson. “Yeah, it just happens. I guess it’s golf. I guess we all go through situations we don’t like sometimes.”

Defending champ

Since turning professional aged 15, Thompson has played in hundreds of tournaments, attracted thousands of fans and accumulated almost $8 million in career earnings.

The golfer ended her message with a hint she would be back stronger than ever.

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“Thank you all so much for your continued support for your continued support,” wrote Thompson. “I hope to see everyone soon as I plan to defend my title at the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Championship.”