LPGA TOUR:AMERICAN LEXI Thompson became the youngest winner in the 61-year history of the LPGA Tour with a commanding victory in the Navistar LPGA Classic on Sunday.
Thompson, who is 16 years, seven months and eight days old, shot a closing 70 to finish 17 under par and win by five shots from compatriot Tiffany Joh.
Before Thompson’s win, Marlene Hagge had been the youngest winner on tour, although the 1952 Sarasota Open was just an 18-hole event when she won it aged 18 years and 14 days.
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, nine months and 17 days.
Thompson’s father Scott was her caddie this week and it was a special time for her: “Just being there with my dad, he was like, Lexi, just enjoy that walk (up the 18th). He told me, ‘I am going off to the side because I might cry’. I definitely cried after I finished.”
Thompson began the final round with a five-shot lead and was never seriously threatened after a front nine of 34, despite dropping shots at the 11th and 12th. Birdies at the 16th and 17th allowed the teenager to complete an impressive win, with Joh claiming outright second thanks to a closing 68.
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