After a thrilling five-tie result, the 2025 Chevron Championship finally got a winner in Mao Saigo. Her first-ever major title after coming first in the playoff, Saigo became the third Japanese to win a major after Yuka Saso and Ayaka Furue. “My predecessors have also earned majors, and I really thought I needed to catch up with them as much as possible,” Saigo said after the win. Much to celebrate in its own right but big names, including Lexi Thompson, who, despite a bright start, had a tough outing on day 4 at The Carlton Woods in The Woodland. And let’s not forget, this comes in her first season following last year’s decision to scale back from a full-time schedule.

In a low-scoring affair, every hole counts. She started testily on day 1 with a 1-over-par score, and staged a miraculous recovery across the next two days, finishing day 3 at a total score of 6 under par. This had also put her in contention for a second Chevron Championship victory. On Saturday, sitting just three shots behind heading into the final round, she would even said, “It’s not like I’m just going out here to show face,” Thompson said after Thursday’s round. “I’m still very competitive, and, yeah, but just trying to enjoy the few times I will play.”

See, walking into the tournament, Thompson was never the favorite to win the championship. But a finish with a total score of just two strokes below was not something the 30-year-old would have expected. Not keeping it a mystery what forced her to fall off the ladder, Thompson, in a recent update, has answered what led to her disappointment. She began: “Thank you to all the sponsors, volunteers, and fans at the @thechevronchampionship this week for making it possible! Always a special week for the women’s game, and I’m honored to always be a part of it.

In the sixteen appearances at the celebrated major, she has enjoyed good results, including winning the title in 2014 and seven top-10 finishes. So to say she has seen better days than a T14 finish this week must have played a part when she said, “My game definitely decided to leave me today, but overall still a good week! Time to go home and relax for a bit and have a game plan for the next.”

However, day 4 had a unique plan for her altogether. Despite a shot at the title, Thompson failed to substantiate her day 2 and day 3 performances with a bogey-filled outing during the last round. The 11-time LPGA Tour winner carded two straight bogeys at the fourth and fifth holes to set a very disappointing tone for the rest of the day. Thompson finished with five bogeys on the day, registering a score of 4 over par to bring her total to 2 under par and a T14 finish.

With the kind of finish she had, her emotions at the end of it all are understandable. One difficult outing undid a great few days of golf. That is golf, where consistency is key. And since her decision to retire from full-time commitments to golf, Thompson has yet to find the much-needed consistency.

Lexi Thompson’s part-time golf venture

Thompson had initially declared her intentions to retire from the game at the end of 2024, midway through last year. However, while many lamented the exodus of such a talented golfer from the ranks of the LPGA, the 1-time Major winner later put out her thoughts clearly. “I did say [I’m retiring] just from a full-time schedule. Just going to take that time for myself, spend it with my family and friends, and really just decompress and make sure that if or when I do decide to play, that I’m ready and I’m in a good mind space.” The 30-year-old had stated at the Grant Thornton Invitational in December 2024.

But since then, her golfing exploits have not stood out. She finished T13 at the Founder Cup and set a decent tone to start her season. But She stumbled hard at the Ford Championship in Arizona, finishing T38 with a score of 11 under par. She then failed to make the cutline at the JM Eagle LA Championship. The T14 at the Chevron Championship was her saving grace, but that too was marred by inconsistent plays.

The question that needs to be asked is whether the lack of proper practice and being part of a full season flow is inhibiting her ability to draw out the best she can offer to the sport. Either way, that will be a question Thompson will be looking to answer herself.