LAS VEGAS – As she would have done in any other tournament before, Lexi Thompson took a walk at TPC Summerlin with her parents Scott and Judy following closely. Lexi Thompson, an 11-time LPGA champion, tried many shots on the par-5 hole, including two different approaches. She played it safe with three shots in one, and tried another approach where she used a driver that cleared the lake, but ended up rolling into a bunker.
This is not your ordinary tournament, even though the preparation may be similar.
She knows.
Thompson, who played a Tuesday practice round with Michael Kim, Ben Griffin and others, will be the seventh woman to compete on a PGA Tour event when she tees-off Thursday at the Shriners Children’s Open in 2023. She said she was just as surprised as anyone by the sponsorship exemption. She found out about it nine days earlier during the Walmart NW Arkansas championship final round.
Thompson, who has won a major tournament and been in the spotlight for over a decade-and-a-half, said that she would consider playing the weekend with the Shriners her greatest achievement.
“Definitely on top. “Definitely at the top.” Thompson said that it was an honor to receive this invitation, but “one step at a time, one shot,” he added. It would be a wonderful feeling.
Thompson attributes her improved performance in the last few weeks to a slight swing in her game in preparation for the Solheim Cup.
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Thompson had missed five consecutive cuts over the summer, and it looked as if she would be a liability to Team USA if she was selected for the 12-player team based on Rolex Ranking. She found her groove in September and Stacy Lewis asked Thompson to play the opening tee in Spain on Sunday and to anchor her singles lineup.
Thompson, who finished in fifth place at the Volunteers of America outside of Dallas last week, said that she is confident with her game, but she would not reveal what she did wrong.
She smiled widely and said, “I don’t know.” “No, I don’t think it was anything complicated, but as athletes and golfers, we have a tendency to always go back to the same things. We have a tendency to go back to the same swing even when we’re struggling. I’ve been able to get my swing plane back on track by focusing on one thing. The week before Solheim, I really focused on that and hit golf balls daily until I got it right.
“I wanted to play my best golf in Solheim, and represent your country. That’s why I live.”
Lexi played well in her first time at #tpcsummerlin. She can hit some good shots and the course lines up for her. The driver on the 17th par-5 just rolled in the bunker. She’s in play. This will be an exciting week. pic.twitter.com/4aiEP6Axsn
— Tim Schmitt (@TMSGolfweek) October 10, 2023
Thompson will need her driver more this week, as the par-71 course measures 7,255 yards.
She said that Thompson usually keeps five wedges and her 5-iron at home. This week, Thompson will be using her 5-iron and driving.
“It’s great to be here and have a good time hitting a lot more drivers.” The last few weeks, I haven’t played as much golf, but the LPGA Tour still requires you to play the shots. Thompson explained that he didn’t always get to use his length in some of the holes. “Here it’s a driver on every hole and I love that.” “Fire away and swing to get as much distance as I can on some of those holes.”
Thompson insists that she is not under any extra pressure, despite the fact that the odds against her are very high. Since she can remember, Thompson has played golf with males, usually with her brothers Nicholas and Curtis.
“I’ve just been used to it, I think. I’ve just been in the spotlight since I was 12, I suppose. She said that she believes in herself and doesn’t listen to anyone who judges her or others. “You already know what you are capable of. All you need to do is trust in your work and believe in yourself. All I have done in my career is that. Doing this, turning pro at such a young age, was a huge step.
You just need to do what you enjoy.
Beth Ann Nichols is the author of this report.
