The golf world found itself abuzz with a controversial moment involving the 28-year-old professional golfer, Lexi Thompson. Instead of garnering attention for her prowess on the golf course, Thompson became the center of attention due to her daring and provocative cover photo for the May issue of Golf Digest. This unexpected deviation from conventional golf imagery sparked a heated debate within the golfing community.
Golf Digest’s May fitness issue featured Lexi Thompson, the youngest individual ever to win an LPGA tournament. In the photograph, she sported black bottoms and a single glove. However, the controversial aspect of the image lay in the white cloth draped over her shoulders, with Thompson holding the corners to cover her chest.
Released on April 2, 2015, the issue swiftly made its rounds on social media platforms, prompting various reactions from the public. People voiced their opinions about how Thompson had been portrayed in the magazine cover and the implications it carried.
As the cover image of Lexi Thompson went viral on social media, the comment sections were flooded with criticism. Many deemed the photoshoot disrespectful towards female golfers. Hilary Tone Forslund, a respected communications and external affairs expert, expressed her candid views on the matter. She questioned, “I hope @golfdigest aware that women don’t actually golf topless? Do they know this?” Tone’s disbelief was palpable as she urged for a change, exclaiming, “Could we just NOT with this anymore?”
Lexi Thompson’s presence on the cover marked a significant moment for the LPGA, as she became the first female golfer to feature in Golf Digest’s fitness edition. Prior to her, the magazine had exclusively featured female athletes, including Holly Sonders and Paulina Gretzky, the wife of Dustin Johnson. However, these previous editions had been marred by controversy, often criticized for their racy content and the absence of a genuine golfer.
While criticism abounded, some individuals defended the magazine’s choice, highlighting that Lexi Thompson was not topless but merely draped in a towel. Others questioned why she was wearing a golf glove in the image, adding to the ongoing debate.
In contrast to the public’s mixed reactions, Lexi Thompson herself expressed her satisfaction with the magazine’s cover. She took to Twitter to share her excitement, stating, “I landed on the May cover of @GolfDigest! So pumped to represent fitness & power #GirlPower.” Thompson’s support for Golf Digest was unwavering, even in the face of controversy.
According to insiders and sources within the golf industry, the controversial cover served to depict strong female athletes playing golf, potentially piquing interest in the sport among those who had not considered golfers as true athletes.
