LPGA Legend, 53, Delivers Her Verdict as Lexi Thompson Effortlessly Equals Her 20-Year-Old Feat: ‘Gets Me Fired Up’
Becoming the only woman in history to do something is always going to attract extra eyeballs. And if it’s being the only woman in a man-only tournament? You don’t say. Lexi Thompson became only the seventh woman to tee it up against her male peers at the Shriners Children’s Open, following in the footsteps of a veteran golfer who did it for the first time in the modern era some twenty years ago.
Like the now-retired golfer, Thompson’s run-up to his PGA Tour debut was bumpy. Players and critics doubted her. Some spoke of how another ‘in-form’ LPGA star would’ve been a better choice, while others simply dubbed her a fluke. 20 years ago, another LPGA star faced the same vehement criticism from players and fans alike. Now she decides to speak up about Lexi Thompson’s feat.
Annika Sorenstam herself stirred up the pot in 2003 when she decided to take part in the Bank of America Colonial. Vijay Singh threatened to pull out if he were to be paired up with the then-No. 1 LPGA star. The golf world wasn’t ready then, and unfortunately, 20 years later, the situation hadn’t changed much.
Much like Zimbabwean golfer Nick Price, who called the Swede’s PGA entry a publicity stunt, this time Peter Malnati, the PGA Tour board member, opined the management doesn’t need to resort to gimmicks to drum up interest. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop Sorenstam, and neither Lexi Thompson nor I paid any heed to the negative comments. The veteran golfer lauds her for that.
