Alexis “Lexi” Thompson lifts her first LET title at Omega Dubai Ladies Masters
Clad in a sky-blue Puma outfit and a Red bull Visor, Alexis “Lexi” Thompson became the youngest Ladies European Tour winner when she thrashed the field at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters on December 17, to lift the title. Already one of the youngest players
to win a Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) title, Thompson has now another feather in her already blistering cap. The young American pulled in a stunning round of 67 on the final day to finish for an aggregate of 273, five shots ahead of the nearest
contender south African Lee-Anne Pace.
“The chip‑in was definitely really important, but the whole day my whole goal was to get it to 15‑under. That was my goal, but once she made the birdie and the eagle, I knew I had to play my game, make a lot of birdies, so I just kept on going strong and
hoping for the best,” Thompson said.
Aged 16 years, 10 months, 8 days, Thompson is now the youngest player to win a title on the Let ahead of the South Korean Amy Yang, who managed to bag the accolade when she won the ANZ Ladies Masters in Australia at the age of 16 years, 6 months, 8 days,
playing as a low amateur in 2006.
Born on February 9, 1995, Thompson has turned out to be a formidable force on the LPGA, bagging her first title, the Navistar Classic just three months ago. She was earlier denied a permanent membership on the LPGA but was accorded the same after the tour
commissioner Michael Whan decided to change rules in order to bring Thompson in the fold. She is also the first American to win the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters for the first time in event’s six-year-old history. Thompson also paid her tribute to LET for inviting
her to play in the season-closing event.
Pace, although dejected, remained upbeat about her performance in the event.
“I guess I could have had things a little bit different. I hit a bad club on I think it was number 12 over the green which cost me a shot, and I think that's where things changed around. But I'm pretty happy I played well.” said Pace.
Swede Sophie Gustafson finished for an outright third, pulling in a final round score of 71. No fewer than three players finished for joint fourth including Becky Morgan of Wales, South African Stacy Lee Bregman and Swede Pernilla Lindberg.
Englishwoman Georgina Simpson carded a final round score of 67 to finish for joint ninth, sharing the place with Florentyna Parker and four-time LET title winner rookie Caroline Hedwall. Five players finished for a joint 12th including the Turkish
Airlines Open winner Christel Boeljon, top-ranking American player Michelle Wie, Sara Brown and Italian Margherita Rigon.
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