Wednesday at the Kingsmill Championship, it was interesting that 18-year-old LPGA prodigy Lexi Thompson was paired up in the pro-am with LPGA commissioner Mike Whan. Their fortunes are indeed intertwined.
In a sport that desperately needs a telegenic American superstar, Thompson fits the criteria. She is 6-foot, blonde, blue-eyed, and has the game to match, ranking second on the tour in driving distance.
After notching her first win on the tour last year, she has yet to repeat in her rookie season, but doesn’t consider the season a regression. She was runner up at Mobile Bay in April and is in no rush to win as she settles into life as a full-time tour player.
“Just playing a lot more than the last few years playing on sponsors exemptions,” Thompson said. “It’s great. I’m used to playing a lot. This is what I really enjoy, playing a lot more and playing against the best in the world.”
Thompson said her goals are to make the Solheim Cup team completion next year and the Olympics in four years. Interesting there was no mention of a major championship. At this stage, she seems more focused on playing and improving than winning.
“I just take each event and just go in and try to improve on little things in my game,” Thompson said. “That will help me out in the long run.”
This is her first trip to Kingsmill and she likes the course, which will favor her length.
“There are a few demanding tee shots and it’s playing softer now so I can hit my driver pretty much on every hole,” Thompson said.
As a reminder of her age, she mentioned one more positive about her stay this week at Kingsmill – a trip to Busch Gardens.
