Maybe Lexi Thompson’s irked that she’s fallen well out of the top five in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Maybe Lexi’s irked that she’s now ranked ninth, sitting behind young Nelly Korda, who’s ahead of her at No. 8.
Maybe, just maybe, Lexi has decided that she’d like to start the season by winning the first major.
Whatever it is, Lexi showed up tan and rested at Mission Hills and after day one of the ANA Inspiration, she found herself right where she need to be, just a shot off the lead of fellow American Ally McDonald.
Thompson hasn’t been exactly wearing herself out this year. She hasn’t played much, instead, choosing to spend time at home.
Might be a good strategy as she showed up and put on an impressive show on the greens. On Thursday, it was her putter working to near-perfection. Typically she’s a bomber and doesn’t exactly strike fear in anyone’s heart with the flat-stick. During round one, it looked really, really good.
What Thompson and the rest of the field found was a tougher golf course waiting for them. Fairways were a bit more narrow, the rough was longer and stronger, lush if you will. They also firmed up the putting greens. Mission Hills was everything you’d expect with a major championship on the line.
McDonald was the only player at four-under while Thompson finished with 69 was joined by rookie Linnea Strom, who played at nearby Arizona State, along with South Koreans Jin Young Ko and Hyo Joo Kim (say that 10 times really fast).
So you had just five players break 70. Now that’s a track worthy of a major.
And please note that this is the first major of the season. The Masters isn’t until next week. Which brings the point of debate and controversy this week in the world of women’s golf.
The ANA is getting only part of the spotlight this week. Seems Augusta National decided it would compete for media attention with this event it has named The Augusta National Women’s Amateur. Now that’s an interesting name considering only one of the three rounds in the event is played on the sacred ground where The Masters will be staged next week.
Augusta National has gotten a load of attention out of this, the Golf Channel is falling all over itself and NBC will televise the happenings on Saturday when the low 30 of the original 72 players actually get to make it to Amen Corner.
Meanwhile, back in California, some of the limelight is being taken away from the LPGA Tour.
The starched shirts inside the gates of Augusta National tell us their little shindig is great for women’s golf even though most are college kids, not old enough to vote and some are still in high school. More of an “intercollegiate” than a women’s amateur. Not sure anyone over the age of 25 got an invite.
We’ll have Augusta National member Condoleezza Rice look into that.
In the meantime, it would be great for the LPGA ratings if Lexi and some other Americans can make a run at the ANA.
If not, you’ll have a bunch of folks watching kids on the Augusta National range on Sunday.
2 Comments
baxter cepeda
Years ago I noticed Lexi unhappy during the Lotte. Everyone said not Lexi. Well lexis depression the past few years is now well documented. But the good news is she seems to be coming around; ala Sergio a couple years ago when he chilled out just long enough to have his career moment. Lexi has already had some career moments but with this newfound joy and stroke, it seems like Lexi is back.
And btw Lexi taking some time off from regular events could be exactly what women’s golf needs.
Sure Lexi genuinely needed some rest, but resting from lpga purses is easy for a well sponsored players like Lexi. The tour and its sponsors may need to make sure the lpga purses and big enough that even the top players feel like they cannot rest too long, as happens on the pga tour. Even the million dollar bonus isn’t going to make a Lexi go too far out of her way.
Tom Edrington
Problem is that fewer American players who can contend hurts ratings…..the sport is being taken over primarily by Asian countries.