Defending champion Thompson off to sensible start in Dubai
American Lexi Thompson displayed a solid performance in the first round of Omega Dubai Ladies Masters 2012, as she shot a 69.
Thompson is the defending champion of the LET (Ladies European Tour) tournament, being held at Majlis Golf Course, Emirates Golf Club, Dubai. However, the American star felt a bit under pressure
at the start of the tournament, missing chances on some of the easy holes.
Still, she managed to shoot an under-par score. Thompson started her round in a jittery style as she failed to judge the ball well on the first hole, carding a bogey.
She, however, was quick to regain her composure as she reeled off a birdie on the par-4 second hole. She fumbled once again and ended up registering her second bogey on the difficult par-3
fourth hole.
Thompson drained another birdie to offset the bogey impact on the 6th hole, which proved productive for her as she ramped up pressure on rival on the back nine.
The star golfer sent the crowd into frenzy after she drained two back-to-back birdies on the 11th and 12th hole. She once again swung into action and posted another birdie
on the last hole.
Thompson is being regarded as one of the most fearsome contenders in the final LET battle, but a stiff challenge from her rivals cannot be ruled out.
Thompson, who mostly plays on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour, spoke to the media at the end of the first round.
She said that she is thrilled to play in Dubai once again, as she has some refreshing memories attached to the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
“Felt great to come back to Dubai. Been looking forward to this event for a few months now. Brought back great memories walking up the 18th green and all,” said the LET titan who won the
2011 Dubai Ladies Masters by four strokes against Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa.
Thompson made no secret of her ambitious for the 2012 event, saying she is looking to pull off a great finish this year too. Despite having focused more on the LPGA Tour in her pro career,
the American golfer also wants to do her best on the European Tour.
“I practiced really hard coming into this event because I wanted to defend”.
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