Lexi Thompson is retiring this year from full-time competition, ending a career filled with a powerful game, an appeal to young fans and plenty of star-crossed moments in the majors. Thompson was to speak later Tuesday ahead of the U.S. Women's Open. She is playing in her 18th Women's Open, and the fact she is only 29 speaks to a career that began at such a young age.

Thompson was 12 when she qualified for the 2007 U.S. Women's Open at Pine Needles, at the time the youngest ever to qualify. She also set an LPGA Tour record as the youngest winner when she captured the Navistar LPGA Classic at age 16. Both records since have been broken. Thompson won 15 times on the LPGA Tour, but only one major at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in Rancho Mirage, California.