‘Age ain’t
nothing but a number’
1
Most people can remember their first golf lesson but Lexi can’t because she started so young. “All I know is that I started with plastic clubs but I can’t actually remember anything about it,” she says. (In fact, she was five and was copying her brother Nicholas, 12 years older, and already making his mark on his way to a professional career.)
2
While Nicholas has won on the NationwideTour (the NZ PGA) and her other brother Curtis, 19, is at University on a golf scholarship, Lexi’s father (and until recently her caddy) Scott plays only occasionally. The golf genes in the family come more through her mother Judy, who used to play in high school and college. Although the Thompsons live next to the 12th hole of TPC Eagle Trace in Florida, the only time the family plays together these days is at Christmas. “On Christmas Day we all go out and play, 20 people in one group. We only play five holes because it is so slow but it is a lot of fun. My Mum can still hit it.”
3
By the time she was 16, Lexi had travelled to Australia, Dubai, France, Germany, Ireland and Thailand. “It’s just amazing to see all the amazing cultures.”
4
Travel is often considered the best education you can get but Lexi is getting plenty of traditional education too. She has been home-schooled, doing everything online, and will finish high school next month (April) – a year ahead of schedule after doing double the number of subjects last year.
5
When Lexi qualified for the US Women’s Open at 12, she was considered tall for her age. And she continues to grow. When she was 15 she grew five inches in a year. At 17 she is currently listed as five foot 11 inches (180cm) but her doctor has told her she will reach at least six foot one inch (185cm).
6
The growth spurt means her swing has naturally changed between 12 to 17. But the biggest change to her game has been her grip, which became too strong about three years ago. “I was hitting big hooks so I had to make it weaker and just hit cuts for a while.” Her coach is Jim McLean but brother Nicholas is not backward in offering tips to his little sister either. “He is always watching and if I am struggling, he is there to help me out.”
7
Lexi works out seven days a week. Three or four with a personal trainer and the other days on her own. Her trainer is also the trainer for the Florida Panthers ice hockey team. Whenever she is not playing a tournament, Lexi attends Panther games.
8
Apart from the Panthers, her idol is Nancy Lopez. She had been aware of the three-time major winner’s record but the adulation kicked in when Lopez was her team captain for the the 2009 Junior Solheim Cup. “I look up to her and have been learning from her and how humble she is. She is amazing.”
9
Thompson is well versed on the art of staying humble herself. It’s no mean feat with her head-spinning lifestyle but she has media training and also the biggest reality check of all – two older brothers. “My family keeps me grounded.” Lexi is also helped by the constant interaction she has with members of the public through her Facebook page and Twitter account. She has 14,369 followers. “I’m really into it.”
10
Despite her youth and inexperience, Lexi doesn’t just do as she is told. She chooses the tournaments she wants to play and estimates it will be between 20 and 23 this year. “My management helps me out but I pick out the ones I want to play. I like to play a lot but I don’t want to go more than three or four weeks at a time.” Throughout her career there has been constant speculation about whether she should be playing so much so young. Her response has become the tagline for one of her key sponsorships with Puma – “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.”
What's in Lexi's Bag?
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Driver: |
Cobra AMP 8.5° (neutral) |
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3 Wood: |
Cobra S3 15° |
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Hybrid: |
Cobra Baffler Rail 2/H 17° |
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Irons: |
(3-PW) Cobra S2 Forged |
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Wedges: |
Callaway X-Forged C-Grind 52° and 56° |
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Putter: |
Odyssey White Hot XG 330 |
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Ball: |
Callaway Tour i(z) |
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Shoes: |
Puma |
Lexicon of golf
Born: February 10, 1995
World Ranking: 35
Won Navistar LPGA Classic 2011
Won LET Omega Dubai Ladies Masters 2011