Lexi Thompson Reflects on 2026 LPGA Season After Dow Championship Runner-Up Finish

Lexi Thompson’s 2026 LPGA season has been a journey of highs and lows, balancing the pressures of professional competition with the joys of personal milestones and evolving priorities. Coming off a step back from full-time competition after 2024, Thompson has reshaped her schedule around life rather than leaderboard results, embracing a new perspective on golf and competition.

Dow Championship: A Team Event to Remember

The Dow Championship at Midland Country Club in Michigan presented a different challenge for Thompson—a team format combining alternate shot and best ball. Partnering with Megan Khang under the moniker “Team Biggie Smalls,” Thompson brought energy, chemistry, and humor to a tournament that requires complete trust in a teammate.

While the duo ultimately finished as solo runners-up at 20-under par, their performance highlighted both the potential and the pressures of the format. Round 1 proved tricky, with an opening 73 (+3) in alternate shot exposing the difficulty of synchronizing swings and rhythm. The second round flipped the script, as Thompson and Khang posted a bogey-free 67 (-3) in best ball, demonstrating their ability to capitalize on opportunities when both players are in sync.

Megan Khang played a crucial role in the partnership, hitting approach shots into what she called “Lexi range”—about 15 to 20 feet from the pin. While the distance left putting pressure on Thompson, their teamwork and humor helped them navigate the mental challenges of the event.

“I think our humor complements each other as well, so we got each other,” Khang said. “Obviously alternate shot can be stressful, but when you have a partner like that, it’s a lot nicer.”

Round 1 in the alternate shot format produced a 73, three over par. Foursomes punish rhythm mismatches.

Balancing Life and Competition

Thompson’s approach to 2026 has been defined by life changes, including her marriage to Max Provost in March. Her schedule is now intentionally curated to prioritize experiences, enjoyment, and personal growth alongside competition.

In a celebratory Instagram post following the Dow Championship, Thompson reflected on the event:

“Always fun partnering up with @megan_khang for the @dowchampionship! A lot of laughs as usual, wasn’t our best golf but is always a good time getting to play a team event. So thank you to DOW, all sponsors, volunteers, and fans this week for making the event possible. And to all the staff at @midlandcountryc for hosting us and treating us so well 🙂 #teambiggiesmalls”

Her words illustrate a mindset shift. While professional golfers often define success by results alone, Thompson emphasizes the broader experience: camaraderie, fan interaction, and the joy of the game.

Reflection on a Historic U.S. Women’s Open Run

Thompson also took a moment to reflect on her long-standing participation in the U.S. Women’s Open. Qualifying as a 12-year-old amateur in 2007, she competed in the championship 19 consecutive times. Missing the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open marked the first absence since her debut.

“It’s hard to believe that in 2007, as a 12-year-old girl with big dreams, I qualified for my first U.S. Women’s Open. At the time, I was just excited to be there. I remember practicing my autograph in the backseat of my parents’ car on the drive up to Pine Needles Resort. For the first time since that week, I won’t be competing for the U.S. Women’s Open,” she wrote.

Although missing the tournament was bittersweet, Thompson remains proud of her accomplishments and perspective as a professional athlete.

“Definitely not a great feeling, but I’d be lying if I said otherwise. But I have to remind myself that I’ve played in 19 in a row at the age of 30, and I’m very proud of that.”

Looking Forward

Despite the mixed start to her 2026 season—with two made cuts and two missed cuts prior to the Dow Championship—Thompson has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. Her partnership with Khang, forged during the 2023 Solheim Cup under captain Stacy Lewis, continues to be a highlight, having previously gone undefeated in foursomes and achieving a runner-up finish at the 2025 Dow Championship.

This season’s experiences reinforce Thompson’s broader approach to professional golf: maintaining passion, embracing the camaraderie of teammates and fans, and finding joy in the process, even when the results are imperfect.

For Thompson, the journey is as important as the leaderboard. As she continues to navigate a career shaped by personal milestones, evolving priorities, and competitive drive, her perspective offers a reminder that golf is not only about strokes and scores—it’s also about experiences, relationships, and enjoying the game at every level.