“Similar to Solheim”: On Course to Make History, Lexi Thompson Gets Candid about the Mounting Pressure on Her Nerves

Lexi Thompson wants to inspire. If you look at the sidelines of TPC Summerlin, you would have already seen a lot of inspiration and positive vibes floating in and around her. But for the LPGA star, with great power comes great responsibility, and with great responsibility comes even greater pressure. 

Becoming the only seventh woman ever to tee it up against men would always have attracted extra eyeballs on you. After the play was halted because of the darkness, she was asked how the first shot felt. The one-time major winner admitted the pressure was similar to the Solheim Cup.

Lexi Thompson is not the one to buckle under pressure 

It was never going to be a walk in the park for Lexi Thompson. Just days before, PGA Tour policy board member, Peter Malnati, played down the impact of this by calling this a PR measure that he thought was unnecessary. 

But the crowd believes otherwise. She has quickly become a symbol of ‘girl power’ on the greens. On the sidelines, fans followed her through every hole. On every tee box and green, she was met with loud chants of encouragement. So, taking the first tee shot meant swinging her club with all those hopes hanging on the edge. Was it hard on her nerves?

“I had a little bit of nerves, but not too much,” said the 11-time LPGA Tour winner when asked about the pressure she felt. Was it anything comparable to the Solheim Cup? Compared to her debutant status, Finca Cortesin was her sixth appearance in the prestigious tournament. But the pressure is on the same level as the biennial event.

Nevertheless, Thompson clearly enjoys that. “Kind of similar to Solheim, similar nerves, but that’s kind of what you play for.”

Lexi Thompson was 1-over par through 16 holes of the opening round of the Shriners Children’s Open. Paired alongside Kevin Roy and Trevor Werbylo, she has performed well under pressure and is currently in the race to make the cut.

Read More: As Lexi Thompson Shakes Up the PGA Tour Scene, Missing-in-Action Stars Jessica Korda and Michelle Wie West Give Their Final Verdict

Can Thompson make the cut? 

Thompson continued to carry the momentum from a strong outing at the Solheim Cup, and then at the Ascendants LPGA, where she recorded a top-five finish. Starting off with uproarious applause, she shot a booming drive at the first hole that traveled 302 yards, Her first birdie putt came next when she cupped the ball with a 23-footer birdie.

If Thompson can make the cut after the second day, she will become only the first woman to do so since Babe Didrikson Zaharias did it in 1945. From her current form, she is well on course to achieve the milestone.

The 2014 Krafts Nabko champion will need to whip up a few more birdies on Friday. As per the PGA rules, only the top 65 players and ties after the second round, make the cut. The LPGA star is currently tied for the 76th spot, while fellow Beau Hossler is leading the event.

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