LPGA accused of ‘handcuffing’ Lexi Thompson by former caddie – ‘Opposite of men’s Tour’

The former caddie of the record-shattering and newly retired Lexi Thompson has shared his insight into how the LPGA tour has a history of ‘penalizing’ big hitters like her

Lexi Thompson’s former caddie has opened up about the LPGA tour and how its course designs may be limiting power hitters.

Her caddie, Colton Heisey, said him and Thompson went their separate ways after she announced her retirement. Discussing the restrictions of the LPGA tour on an episode of The Scratch Golf Show, Heisey said: “The LPGA tour is different. I mean, there’s obviously a lot more emotions and the golf courses … it’s weird, too, because…some of the girls who hit it really far, they kind of get penalized on the LPGA tour.”

Heisey added: “Because, the tour has to set it up for the girls who don’t hit it that far, right? So, it kind of handcuffs some of these girls who do kind of bomb-it, which is just kind of the opposite of the men’s tour.”

Thompson became the youngest golfer to ever qualify in the U.S. Women’s Open in 2007 at the age of 12 (a record since broken by Lucy Li in 2014, who was 11) and became professional in 2010 at 15. She has 11 LPGA tour victories and participated in two Olympic Games – Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020.

In May last year, Thompson announced her retirement from full-time playing with an Instagram video. She said: “While it is never easy to say goodbye, it is indeed time.”

“I’m excited to enjoy the remainder of the year as there are still goals I want to accomplish. I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” she said. “Time with family, friends, and my trusted companion, Leo [her dog].” In addition to enjoying “a little time” for herself, Thompson also said she will “always look for ways to contribute to the sport and inspire the next generation of golfers”.

Heisey also spoke about Thompson’s 2023 struggle and her hand injury. He said: “With her golf swing, clubface control is a huge thing… and so when that happened, obviously retirement was in the cards.”

In January this year, Thompson announced that she had gotten engaged to her partner, Max, on a trip to Whistler. She shared pictures of the proposal on Instagram, along with the caption: “The best part of my trip to Whistler … I said YES to my forever and always.”