Thompson looks to turn page with win
WILLIAMSBURG, VA.— Lexi Thompson hopes she can finally put the ANA Inspiration rules mess behind her.
Thompson shot her third 6-under 65 on Sunday to finish off a nearly flawless wire-to-wire victory in the Kingsmill Championship with a tournament-record 20-under 264 total. She broke the record of 19 under at Kingsmill’s River Course set by Annika Sorenstam in 2008.
The victory came in Thompson’s third event since she lost the ANA Inspiration in a playoff after being penalized four strokes for a rules violation reported by a television viewer, and she said she hopes chatter about that situation can finally be put to rest.
“I’m so over that. It is in the past. It’s unfortunate what happened, but it’s time to move on and this puts a lid on it,” she said.
At Rancho Mirage in early April, Thompson was given the four-shot penalty with six holes to play in the final round. She had a15-inch putt on 17 in the third round when she stooped to mark the ball, and quickly replaced it about an inch away. The television viewer contacted the LPGA Tour the next day, and officials determined it was a clear violation. Thompson was assessed a two-shot penalty for where she replaced the ball, and because it happened the day before, she received a two-shot penalty for signing an incorrect scorecard. She went from a three-shot lead to one shot behind, and eventually lost to So Yeon Ryu in the playoff.
The victory Sunday, Thompson’s eighth, gave her at least one in five consecutive seasons. That matches top-ranked Lydia Ko for the longest streak on tour, and Thompson said after three solid ball-striking days, she had to work a little harder in the final round.
“Today I was a little off, off the tee, and kind of steered it around the golf course, but I’m not complaining with a 65, that’s for sure,” she said. “I just felt very in control of my game and a lot more relaxed in between shots and my caddy was a big help with that.”
Thompson, who skydived to the first tee for the Pro-Am on Wednesday to highlight her charitable partnership with the SEAL Legacy Foundation, wore blue camouflage for the final round to “bring awareness to them and this foundation.”
In Gee Chun, playing with Thompson, shot a bogey-free 67, but was no match for the leader, finishing five shots back. Thompson also was bogey-free and finished the tournament with just two bogeys, both on the par-3 17th hole.
“I had a great round today,” Chun said. “But she played so well. I really enjoyed playing with her. I learned a lot from her today.”
Angela Stanford closed with a 66 to finish third, and Danielle Kang was fourth after a 68.
The top-ranked Ko began the day five strokes off the lead, and shot 73 to tie for 10th at 7-under. She is winless since last July.