Lexi Thompson overcame an early scare before easing to a six-stroke victory at the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday with a win that also lifted the American to No. 3 in the world rankings.
Thompson, who started the final round with a four-stroke advantage, carded a four-under 68 for a 20-under total to register a seventh LPGA Tour win of her career and a third title since July last year.
If the 21-year-old was hoping for an afternoon stroll in Pattaya she was in for a shock when playing partner Chun In-gee mounted an early assault with birdies on the first three holes that cut Thompson’s lead to one shot.
The South Korean bogeyed the fourth, though, to double the American’s advantage at the top and Chun was unable to get any closer once Thompson had moved further clear with an eagle on the par-five 10th.
“She played great the whole day and that birdie rampage from the first when she got three in a row was amazing, but I was just trying to play my own game, make birdies and play a solid round. My goal going into the day was to get to 20-under and make a lot of birdies,” Thompson told reporters after a win that ensures she leapfrogs compatriot Stacy Lewis to become the top-ranked US woman.
Thomspon, who claimed her only major victory to date at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, moves up behind Lydia Ko and Inbee Park in the world rankings and feels honored to find herself among such elevated company.
“It means the world to me,” Thompson said.
“I may be out here representing myself, but I am also representing my country. It’s a huge year with the Olympics, but I am just focused on my own game, not anyone else’s, and its an honor and a privilege just to be out here following my dreams,” she said.
Chun overcame a double-bogey six on the 17th hole to birdie the last and claim second place on 14-under, one shot clear of Jessica Korda of the US, who shot a best-of-the-day eight-under 64, and defending champion Amy Yang in a tie for third place.
Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling shot a 69 to finish in 15th place on five-under 283, while Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung was two shots further back tied for 18th.
Taiwanese former world No. 1 Yani Tseng finished back in 64th place on 10-over after a 73.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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