Jack MilkoJack Milko began playing golf at the age of five. He hasn’t yet logged a hole-in-one, but he did graduate from St. Bonaventure University with an M.A. in sports journalism.

It wasn’t Lexi Thompson’s finest moment at the U.S. Women’s Open this week.

Despite ending at 13 over par and missing the cut, she continued to smile broadly wherever she went, signed as many autographs as she could, and posed for numerous photos.

That’s Thompson, and it explains why so many people adore her.

After her second round on Friday, Thompson said, “It wasn’t the golf that I wanted to play, obviously, but it was a special week, of course, with announcing what I did.”

“Even though I kept bogeying, I smiled every time I saw all the fans there and heard their chants of ‘Go Lexi.'” But without a doubt, it was a unique week.

The 29-year-old said earlier this week that she will no longer be playing full-time on the LPGA Tour. Her 18th visit at the U.S. Women’s Open, where her aspirations of being a professional golfer first came true in 2007, was the occasion of her retirement.

During the second round of the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open, Lexi Thompson is grinning.

“It wasn’t how I wanted to end it, but every time I teed it up in a USGA event, it was always special,” Thompson continued. “I know when I teed it up first at Pine Needles, that’s where I wanted to be playing against the best, to continue to do so, and to be playing in my 18th.”

“I treasured each and every moment I had.”

Thompson would advise herself to just live life if she could go back in time and give that impressionable 12-year-old at Pine Needles some counsel.

“Appreciate each and every moment; truly, just accept every shot you make, every competition you participate in,” Thompson thought.

“Just remember to be thankful for everything in your life. Savor each encounter you have, and simply enjoy being here.

Thompson went on to say that she has no plans after that and will play 10 to 12 more times this season. She will miss the LPGA’s rivalry and companionship, but naturally, she won’t miss those 5:30 a.m. alarms.