Lexi Thompson is headed to the PGA Tour after a top-5 performance in Texas. Thompson appeared to be in contention for her first LPGA crown in four years, but rounds of 71 and 70 over the weekend left her far enough away from the eventual winner Hyojoo Kim to put any pressure on her.
Thompson, who finished alone fifth at the 2023 Volunteers of America Ascendant LPGA, is confident going into the Shriners Children’s Open, which will be held at TPC Sommerlin, Las Vegas. She’ll become the seventh woman ever to compete on the PGA Tour.
Thompson said he was “overall very happy.” “I have been working very hard on my golf game, and I was happy to see it pay off, starting with the Solheim Cup, there. Just to see improvements is all I needed.”
Thompson’s position on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team was questioned not so long ago. She has played so poorly this year that she has a lot of work to do if she wants to make the CME Group Tour Championship, which ends the season. Thompson missed the CME Group Tour Championship cut in six out of seven LPGA starts over the summer. She was ranked 114 th heading into Texas. Top 60 players and ties are eligible.
Thompson said, “I believe I was on the right path before Solheim.” I knew Solheim would bring out my best golf because that’s what I do, it’s what I play, and I want to represent the United States.
It was an honor to be able play golf with my team, and as my captain. All I want to continue doing is building on this and working hard to see the improvements.
Thompson revealed that she worked on a specific aspect of her ball-striking in the weeks before the Solheim Cup, and it has paid off “tremendously.” World Golf Hall of Famer Judy Rankin, a Golf Channel analyst who is also ranked in the World Golf Hall of Fame, explained Rankin’s change of setup in the final round of the Texas Open.
Rankin said that she had actually lowered her left shoulder to her right. She had become very steep on her left side and high on her right, which encouraged her to make deep divots on both sides.
Thompson’s first top-10 finish of the year came after the Solheim Cup.
The Buick LPGA Shanghai will be held in China while Thompson plays next week in Las Vegas.
