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(19 September 2011 – Prattville, Alabama)
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America&aposs Lexi Thompson became the youngest winner in the 61-year history of the LPGA Tour by capturing a five-shot victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic. Thompson, at 16 years, 7 months and 8 days old, shot a final round of 2-under par 70 to help secure her victory over compatriot Tiffany Joh, who finished at 12-under-par. Angela Stanford, finished outright third as Americans filled seven of the top ten places.
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rnBefore Thompson&aposs win, Marlene Hagge had held the distinction as the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour at 18 years, 14 days when she won the 1952 Sarasota Open, which was an 18-hole event. The youngest winner of a multi-round event on the LPGA Tour had been Paula Creamer, who captured the 2005 Sybase Classic when she was 18 years, 9 months and 17 days. Thompson is no stranger to breaking records. In 2007, she became the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women&aposs Open at the age of 12.
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rnThompson carried a five-stroke lead into Sunday&aposs final round and held steady for the majority the day. Apart from a tough stretch of back-to-back bogeys on the 11th and 12th holes the 16-year-old held her composure as her lead was cut to three shots. She then put the icing on a supreme victory with birdies at the 16th and 17th holes allowing her to enjoy the walk up the 18th hole.
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rnWhen asked about that walk in her press conference she said, “I loved it. Just being there with my dad, he was like, Lexi, just enjoy that walk. I am going off to the side because I might cry. You know, I definitely cried after I finished. Just finishing that with my dad on the bag, it was the best experience. I wouldn&apost be out here without my dad and my mom, of course.”
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rnDuring the trophy presentation, Thompson announced that she will donate $20,000 of her $195,000 first-prize cheque to the tournament&aposs official charity, The Wounded Warrior Project; a non-profit organisation whose mission is to honor and empower severely injured service men and women of the United States Armed Forces.
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rnGolfing is a way of life in the Thompson family. Lexi&aposs oldest brother Nicholas, 28, is a member of the Nationwide Tour this season and spent the past three years on the PGA Tour. Her other brother Curtis, 18, is a freshman on the Louisiana State University men&aposs golf team and her father, Scott, was her caddie this week.
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rnOnly two ALPG Members made the cut this week, with defending champion Katherine Hull the best, finishing in a tie for 34th. Sarah Kemp had a disappointing weekend, finishing in a tie for 71st.