Lexi Thompson, the 17-year-old US prodigy who became the youngest winner in LPGA history in September last year, took aim at another title starting yesterday at the US$1.7 million LPGA Kia Classic.
Thompson won the LPGA Navistar Classic by five strokes and was given a tour membership after becoming the youngest tour champion at 16 years, eight months and eight days. Now she gets to enjoy an official rookie season.
“I’m just going to focus on my goals and what I want to improve on my game,” Thompson said. “I’m really happy with where my game is at. To get that win gave me a lot more confidence. I’ve been working on a lot of short game, putting a lot, doing my putting drills, but the specific thing I’m working on my ball striking is just posture, keeping my posture good and a good set-up.”
Photo: AFP
Scott Thompson, Lexi’s father, served as her caddie last season, but he now carries the clubs for older son Nicholas on the USPGA’s developmental tour, with Lexi’s clubs in the hands of veteran bagman Greg Johnston.
“Greg knows pretty much every golf course and knows it really well,” Thompson said. “He has a lot of experience, so hopefully it will help me out in the long run, and hopefully he’ll be on my bag for a while.”
Thompson will challenge a field at LaCosta that includes World No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan, who won her second title in four starts this year at last week’s LPGA Founders Cup.
Tseng has 14 career LPGA victories and became the fastest LPGA player to win US$8 million, doing so in 99 events over four years, one month and two days.
Retired Mexican star Lorena Ochoa held the old mark of 115 events over four years, four months and 16 days.
Sandra Gal of Germany is the defending champion of the event, the final tuneup for next week’s first major championship of the season, the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Rancho Mirage.
“This week is all about trying to prepare yourself as good as possible so can you go into next week with lots of energy and kind of stress-free,” World No. 3 Suzann Pettersen of Norway said.
World No. 2 Choi Na-yeon of South Korea, Japan’s Ai Miyazato and reigning US Women’s Open champion Ryu So-yeon of South Korea are also in the field.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely