3 stars who played in their final LPGA Tour event this winter

This season on the LPGA Tour, there were many headlines to follow. From Nelly Korda’s seven victories to Lydia Ko completing the cycle at the Olympics,lots of attention was on the sport this season.

Now, as the season has gone into the record books, a few players are taking a turn in the spotlight as they end their careers. Lexi Thompson, Marina Alex, and Ally Ewing have all decided to stop playing on tour. All three competed in the recent CME Group Tour Championship at the end of the season.

Thompson announced earlier in the year she would retire from the tour. She finished in a tie for 49th place at the Tour Championship. The popular veteran had a farewell tour of sorts throughout the entirety of the season.

Ally Ewing had announced that she was going to hang it up following the Solheim Cup in September. Said Ewing of the decision back in September, “I always wanted to run through the finish line of my career, so seeing a really good season gives me even more peace about my decision.” She finished in a tie for 16th in her final event.

All three have accounted for 16 wins on the LPGA Tour during their careers

Marina Alex, unlike Thompson and Ewing, had only informed family and friends of her retirement plans.

The message seemed to spread rather quickly through the tournament and a clearly emotional Alex was seen on her final hole. She finished in a tie for 12th. She shot a 6-under 66 on her final Sunday.

“I have some unbelievable friendships. I think there is an unwritten bond so many of us have out here through traveling and the hardship, the good and the bad,” said Alex following the tournament.

Between the three players, they have 16 victories on the LPGA Tour and have all been among the leaders on Sundays since all three started their rookie campaigns. This season, there were 15 top 10s between all three in 2024.

It will be a different-looking LPGA Tour next season, as newer players such as Korda, Alexa Pano, and Malia Nam are beginning to rise in popularity. All owe a debt of gratitude to the three players who are hanging it up.

A player like Thompson was able to pave the way for players like Korda, whose popularity has grown substantially over the past couple of seasons. The overall purse for the CME Group Tour Championship was the highest in history. All in part due to the golfers who are retiring.

Marina Alex was presented with a bouquet of flowers and posed with family and friends after her finish. The perfect ending to an incredible career.