Sports
Lexi Thompson's Dow Impact Award Win Proves Excellence Extends Far Beyond the Fairway
Posted: November 5, 2025 at 9:22 pm / by / comments (0)
When Lexi Thompson stepped away from full-time competition on the LPGA Tour earlier this year, questions about her legacy loomed. The inaugural Dow Impact Award has answered them. Thompson’s greatest contribution to golf may have nothing to do with tournament victories and everything to do with the lives she’s changed through relentless advocacy and community service.
Thompson won 48% of all votes cast in a month-long fan voting process that drew more than 3,400 participants. The margin wasn’t just impressive. It was a declaration about how Thompson has wielded her platform as one of golf’s most visible athletes to generate real change.
A Foundation Built on Genuine Care
Many professional athletes support charitable causes. Thompson’s commitment stands apart because of its range, its depth, and its authenticity. Through the Lexi Thompson Foundation, she has pushed beyond her home state of Florida to impact communities nationwide with focused, effective programs.
Her work covers an unusual breadth of causes, each tied to genuine community need. Youth golf organizations like Friends of Golf, First Tee, American Golf Foundation, and Girls Golf (where she served as a 2023-24 ambassador) have all benefited from Thompson’s efforts to expand access to the sport. She has focused particularly on girls who might never otherwise hold a club.
Championing Causes That Matter
Thompson has become a prominent advocate for breast cancer research through partnerships with the Morgan Pressel Foundation and Susan G. Komen. Her $ 25,000 prize will be matched by Dow with a contribution to the Morgan Pressel Foundation, doubling this recognition’s impact.
Her advocacy for veterans runs through partnerships with the Wounded Warriors Project and the SEAL Legacy Foundation. These aren’t publicity stunts. They represent sustained engagement with causes that matter to her.
Setting the Standard for Future Winners
The competition was formidable. Rose Zhang finished second with 26% of votes and a $ 10,000 cash award. Despite her young career, Zhang has already established herself as a force for accessibility and inclusion in golf. The Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya, have been instrumental in growing the game in Thailand and inspiring young girls across Asia. Jennifer Kupcho and Gaby Lopez round out a nominee class that represents what professional athletes can achieve when they use their platforms well.
Thompson’s victory over such an accomplished field says something about the consistency and visibility of her service work. Carlos Padilla II, VP of Global Sports Marketing at Dow, put it this way: “Her dedication to making a difference on and off the course exemplifies the impact we hope to inspire through this program.”
A Legacy Beyond Trophies
Thompson has set a high standard as the LPGA and Dow look toward the 2026 class of nominees. The Dow Impact Award is part of the tour’s “Celebrating the Green” sustainability and social responsibility initiative. It represents something golf needs: recognition that excellence extends well beyond scoring averages and trophy counts.
Power, competitiveness, and mental toughness have defined Thompson’s career. But this award may capture her most lasting contribution to the sport. She has shown an entire generation of golfers that champions use their success to lift others.
Thompson didn’t just add another accolade to her resume by winning the inaugural Dow Impact Award. She secured a legacy that will outlast her competitive career.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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