Stacy Lewis Explains Emotional 18th Green Moment After Seeing Her Dad
September 28, 2024, Rogers, Arkansas, USA: STACY LEWIS on the 3rd tee during the second round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club. Rogers USA - ZUMAs199 20240928_znp_s199_019 Copyright: xBrentxSoulex
September 28, 2024, Rogers, Arkansas, USA: STACY LEWIS on the 3rd tee during the second round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship at Pinnacle Country Club. Rogers USA - ZUMAs199 20240928_znp_s199_019 Copyright: xBrentxSoulex
Stacy Lewis did not plan on crying, but then she looked at her dad and that was it.
The veteran LPGA star walked off the 18th green at Memorial Park on Friday in the final competitive round of her career, ready for what comes next. It was everyone else who needed a moment.
Lewis, who was playing the Chevron Championship in her hometown of Houston, had her father caddie for her on the final hole, a callback to her amateur days and the early stretch of her professional career when he regularly carried her bag.
"I probably shouldn't have looked at my dad," Lewis said. "I guess my emotions are probably a lot different than theirs. They're probably a little bit more sad, where I'm just ready. I'm ready for the next chapter."
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Stacy Lewis USA watches her tee shot on 9 during the second round of The Chevron Championship on April 24, 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: APR 24 LPGA, Golf Damen The Chevron Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604240022
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Stacy Lewis USA watches her tee shot on 9 during the second round of The Chevron Championship on April 24, 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas. Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: APR 24 LPGA, Golf Damen The Chevron Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604240022
It was her husband's idea to have her father on the bag for that final hole, and Lewis made a point of giving him full credit. The two spoke about the course while walking up the 18th fairway.
She stayed relaxed and cheerful. She knew her father would be emotional, but she still had her round to complete.
The moment felt even more special because of where they were. Houston is where Lewis won the Chevron Championship for the first time, a victory she says started everything that came after.
Lewis was one of the best players of her era. She had 13 LPGA Tour titles, two major championships, and her peak as World No. 1. Her influence, however, extended beyond the wins, making her exit significant for the tour too.
Leaving the game is one thing, but Lewis still had some unfinished business before doing that.
Stacy Lewis Has a Message for Every LPGA Player Still Out There
More than 25 years later, she walked off the 18th green at the tournament that started it all. Lewis had one last thing to say to the players still grinding it out on tour.
"Stay involved with the business of the Tour and know what's going on," she said. "Keep giving back to the fans and to our sponsors and never stop saying thank you. I just don't think we can ever say thank you enough."
She also had one more thing on her mind. "Just be grateful for every opportunity that you have," Lewis said.
Every bit of drive came from within herself, and that, she said, was down to the parents she had. "He never pushed me," Lewis added. "It all came from me."
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Written by
Sneha Abraham
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav