Stacy Lewis, the U.S. Solheim Cup captain for 2023, jokes that the LPGA has only one player who can go be a single name: That would be Lexi, as in Lexi Thompson.
At 27, Thompson is a powerful player, still one of the longest on the women’s circuit. She leads the LPGA in greens in regulation (hitting 76.52 percent) and is second in scoring (69.42). She also has been a frequent winner, having collected 11 titles in her career. This is the somewhat amazing stat: Thompson hasn’t won a tournament since 2019.
These days, she continues to work hard, and speaks to being more committed to “the process” instead of thinking too much about wins and losses. She gives it her all, and where she finishes, she finishes.
Thompson had the lead last Sunday at the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give but faltered on the final nine, missing out on a playoff. Friday, she played brilliantly at Congressional on Friday, shooting 5-under 67 to get back into the golf tournament. (Amid more challenging conditions Thursday, she made no birdies and shot 74.)
On the par-4 17th hole, Thompson spun a 50-degree wedge from 102 yards back into the hole for an eagle-2. The only trouble she encountered all day was one hole earlier, when she hit an iron shot to the 16th hole and the divot flew inside the front of her shirt. She had a good laugh at that one.
Today's bigger, bolder, braver shot comes from Lexi Thompson on the 17th at Congressional Country Club. #KPMGWomensPGA pic.twitter.com/0pFyNEEPKr
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 24, 2022
Thompson said one key this season is that she has gone easier on herself. Thursday, for instance, she shot an over-par round, but she didn’t let it bother her.
“I hit it amazing yesterday. I just stroked it well, too,” she said after moving to 3-under 141. “Just nothing went in. I knew if I just didn't let that bother me, which I didn't ... I walked off the golf course and thought I really don't feel like I shot 2-over. You have days like that.
“I just took that coming into today and said, ‘OK, if I hit it that good again and just get a few putts to drop, I just have to stay patient.’ That's what I did. That's golf for you.”
Five birdies and an eagle propelled @Lexi to a second round 5-under at the #KPMGWomensPGA. @ROLEX pic.twitter.com/tYtGzTlj08
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 24, 2022
And her thoughts on her flying divot?
“I watched it go in slow motion right down my shirt. I don't know how it's possible, but it did,” she said, smiling. “Yeah, happens, I guess. Makes for a good laugh now.”
