When Did Lexi Thompson Start Playing Golf?

Lexi Thompson is one of the most recognizable names in golf. She has been a prominent figure in the sport for years and has made quite an impact on the golf world. But when did Lexi Thompson start playing golf? Let’s dive into her early years and explore how she became the golfer we all know and love today.

Born in Coral Springs, Florida, in 1995, Lexi grew up in a family of golfers. Her older brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, played golf, and her father, Scott, was her coach from an early age. Thompson took her first swing at the age of five and was immediately hooked. She would spend hours practicing and perfecting her game.

As a young girl, Thompson quickly made a name for herself in the golf world. She won her first tournament at the age of seven and went on to become the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at just 12 years old. But that was only the beginning of her journey.

If you’re curious about the rest of Lexi Thompson’s journey to becoming a professional golfer and the major achievements she’s had along the way, keep reading this post for more insights.

Her Early Years

Lexi Thompson was born on February 10, 1995, in Coral Springs, Florida, to a family of golfers. She was introduced to the game of golf at a young age, with her brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, both playing golf competitively. She quickly showed a natural aptitude for the sport and began playing in junior tournaments at just seven years old.

Thompson was homeschooled to allow her to focus on golf, and at just 12 years old, she became the youngest golfer to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. She continued to make waves in the golfing world, becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Junior PGA Championship at age 13.

In 2009, Thompson made her debut on the LPGA Tour at just 15 years old, playing in the Navistar LPGA Classic. She missed the cut but gained valuable experience and showed promise for her future career in golf.

Thompson’s early years were characterized by her dedication to the sport and her natural talent on the golf course. She quickly established herself as a rising star in the world of golf, and her achievements as a young player set the stage for the success she would achieve in the years to come.

Despite facing some criticism for her young age and the attention she received, Thompson remained focused on her passion for golf and continued to work hard to improve her game. Her early years laid the foundation for a successful career in golf and set her on the path to becoming one of the sport’s most accomplished players.

Her Early Years

A Family of Golfers

Lexi Thompson’s love for golf was fueled by her family’s passion for the sport. Her father, Scott, was a golf coach and her mother, Judy, was also a golfer. Lexi’s two older brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, were also golfers who competed in college. Lexi began playing golf at the age of five, and her father was her primary coach throughout her early years.

Scott was dedicated to helping Lexi become a top golfer, and he often brought her to the golf course with him when he played. He would also watch her practice and provide feedback to help her improve her swing and technique. Lexi’s mother Judy was also supportive and would often accompany her to tournaments.

Lexi’s brothers were also influential in her development as a golfer. They would often play together as a family, and Nicholas and Curtis would provide feedback and encouragement to help Lexi improve her game. The Thompson family’s passion for golf was a driving force behind Lexi’s early success in the sport.

1. Starting Young: Lexi began playing golf at the age of five and quickly developed a love for the sport.
2. Family Support: Lexi’s parents and brothers were all golfers and played a significant role in her development as a golfer.
3. Dedicated Coaching: Lexi’s father, who was a golf coach, provided her with feedback and guidance throughout her early years.
4. Playing Together: The Thompson family often played golf together, and Lexi’s brothers provided her with feedback and encouragement.
5. A Driving Force: The Thompson family’s passion for golf was a driving force behind Lexi’s early success in the sport.

The Thompson family’s dedication to golf and support for Lexi’s development as a player laid the foundation for her future success in the sport. As Lexi grew older, she began to compete in junior tournaments and quickly established herself as one of the top junior golfers in the country.

Starting as a Junior Golfer

Early Recognition: Lexi Thompson started playing golf at a very young age, and it wasn’t long before she caught the attention of the golf world. By the time she was seven years old, she had already won her first tournament.

Training Regimen: Thompson was trained under the watchful eye of her father, Scott Thompson, who recognized her talent and helped her develop her skills. He even built a practice facility in their backyard to help her hone her golfing abilities.

Junior Golf Success: As a junior golfer, Thompson quickly made a name for herself, winning numerous tournaments, including the 2008 U.S. Girls’ Junior and the 2009 Junior PGA Championship. She also competed in several professional events before turning pro.

Youngest U.S. Women’s Open Participant: In 2007, at the age of 12, Thompson became the youngest player ever to qualify to play in the U.S. Women’s Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf. This achievement put her on the map as one of the most promising young players in the game.

Junior Ryder Cup: In 2010, Thompson was selected to represent the United States in the Junior Ryder Cup, where she helped her team secure a victory over Europe. This experience gave her valuable exposure to international competition and prepared her for the challenges of professional golf.

Early Successes in Junior Tournaments

Thompson’s talent quickly became apparent as she began participating in junior tournaments around the age of Her natural ability to hit the ball long distances and her focus on the green made her stand out from other young players.

At 9 years old, Thompson won her first tournament, the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, in the girls’ 10-year-old division. The following year, she won the same tournament in the 11-year-old division.

Thompson’s success continued as she won the 2007 and 2008 Junior PGA Championship, becoming the youngest winner of the tournament at age 1In 2009, she won the first of her three consecutive titles at the Junior Solheim Cup, a biennial event that pits top junior players from Europe against those from the United States.

Turning Pro at 15 Years Old

After several successful years as a junior golfer, Lexi Thompson decided to turn pro at just 15 years old. In June 2010, she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open, becoming the youngest golfer ever to do so.

Thompson’s early success as a pro was remarkable. She finished second in the 2010 Navistar LPGA Classic, which was only her second LPGA Tour event.

In September 2011, Thompson won her first professional tournament at the Navistar LPGA Classic. This victory made her the youngest-ever winner of an LPGA Tour event, a record she held for several years.

Despite her youth, Thompson continued to compete against some of the best golfers in the world. In 2013, she finished second in the Evian Championship, a major tournament on the LPGA Tour.

Since turning pro, Thompson has become one of the most recognizable and successful golfers in the world. Her early decision to turn pro has proven to be a wise one, as she has continued to achieve incredible success on the course.

Becoming the Youngest Winner on LPGA Tour

Thompson’s professional career was off to a great start, as she won her first LPGA event at the age of 16 years, 7 months, and 8 days. This made her the youngest player to ever win an LPGA tournament, breaking a record that was previously held by Marlene Hagge, who won her first event at 18 years old.

Thompson’s victory came at the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Alabama in 201She won the tournament by a commanding five strokes, finishing with a score of 19-under-par. Her win also made her the first American woman to win an LPGA event as a teenager since Paula Creamer in 200

Thompson’s success did not stop there, as she went on to win several more LPGA events in the following years. In fact, she has won a total of 11 LPGA Tour events to date, including one major championship.

Thompson’s victory at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship was particularly memorable, as she won the tournament by three strokes, finishing with a score of 14-under-par. This made her the second-youngest player to ever win a major championship on the LPGA Tour, behind only Morgan Pressel, who won the Kraft Nabisco Championship at the age of 18 years and 10 months.

Thompson’s success on the LPGA Tour has cemented her as one of the top golfers in the world, and she continues to be a dominant force on the tour to this day. Her talent, drive, and determination have earned her a legion of fans and admirers, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of her generation.

Entering the Professional Scene

After turning pro at 15 years old, Lexi Thompson quickly made her mark on the professional golf world. In 2012, she became the youngest player to win on the LPGA Tour, capturing the Navistar LPGA Classic at just 16 years old.

Thompson continued to make waves on the tour, earning multiple wins and top-10 finishes. In 2014, she played on the U.S. Women’s Open team, helping them to a victory over Europe in the international competition.

In 2015, Thompson won the first major championship of her career, the ANA Inspiration, and went on to win the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Her performances that year earned her the LPGA Player of the Year award.

Thompson’s success on the course has also translated into off-the-course opportunities, including endorsement deals with major brands like Cobra Puma Golf, Red Bull, and Rolex.

Despite some setbacks and struggles in her career, including a highly publicized rules violation at the 2017 ANA Inspiration, Thompson has continued to be a major force in women’s golf.

Her First LPGA Win

Lexi’s first LPGA win came in 2011 at the Navistar LPGA Classic, where she became the youngest-ever winner on the LPGA Tour at 16 years old. It was a historic moment in women’s golf, and Lexi proved that she was a force to be reckoned with.

The win was the result of hard work and dedication to the sport. Lexi had been playing golf since she was a child and had been training for this moment her entire life. She had a natural talent for the game, but it was her determination and perseverance that made her a champion.

Lexi’s victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic was just the beginning of a long and successful career in professional golf. She has gone on to win numerous tournaments and has become one of the most recognized and respected players in the game.

Major Championship Near-Wins

Although Miyazato had many impressive finishes in major championships, she was not able to win a major title throughout her career. Her closest chance came at the 2010 Women’s British Open, where she finished runner-up to Yani Tseng by one stroke.

She also had several other close calls in major championships, finishing in the top 10 nine times and in the top 5 four times. Despite not winning a major championship, Miyazato was still regarded as one of the best players in the game during her career.

She was especially dominant in 2010, finishing in the top 10 in all five major championships and winning five tournaments overall. This impressive season led to her being named the LPGA Player of the Year and earning her the nickname “The Smiling Cinderella.”

Continued Successes on the LPGA Tour

Jin Young Ko continued to dominate the LPGA tour, winning the 2019 ANA Inspiration to claim her first major title. She also went on to win the CP Women’s Open, the Evian Championship, and the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Her performance throughout the year earned her the title of LPGA Player of the Year, as well as the money list and scoring average titles.

In 2020, Ko started the year strong by winning the season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the rest of the season, with several events canceled or postponed. Despite this, Ko managed to finish in the top 10 in six of the nine events she played, including a runner-up finish at the Marathon LPGA Classic.

The 2021 season saw Ko return to her winning ways, claiming two victories at the Volunteers of America Classic and the Lotte Championship. She also finished in the top 10 in six other events, including a runner-up finish at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Major Achievements and Records

Grand Slam Winner: At the age of 19, Lydia became the youngest golfer to win a Grand Slam event with her victory at the 2015 Evian Championship. She went on to win the ANA Inspiration in 2016, solidifying her status as one of the top golfers in the world.

Most Wins on the LPGA Tour by a New Zealander: Lydia’s success on the LPGA Tour has been unprecedented for a New Zealander. With 15 career wins as of 2021, she has surpassed the previous record of 8 wins held by fellow New Zealander, Phil Tataurangi.

Youngest Golfer to Reach #1 World Ranking: In 2015, at the age of 17, Lydia became the youngest golfer, male or female, to reach the top spot in the World Golf Rankings. She held the position for a total of 109 weeks, showcasing her dominance on the tour.

Major Championship Victories

Tiger Woods is widely considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, in large part due to his incredible success in major championships. In total, he has won 15 major titles, second only to Jack Nicklaus’ record of 1

Woods’ major championship victories spanned from his first win at the 1997 Masters to his most recent victory at the 2019 Masters, a span of over two decades. He won multiple major championships in a single year three times, accomplishing the feat in 2000, 2002, and 2005.

Some of Woods’ most memorable major championship victories include his 2000 U.S. Open win by a record-setting 15 strokes, his 2005 Masters win after an unforgettable chip-in on the 16th hole, and his emotional 2019 Masters win, which marked his first major victory in over a decade.

Impact on the Golf World

Inspiration to Women: Throughout her career, Wie has been a role model to women all over the world. She has shown that women can compete at the highest level of golf and has inspired a new generation of female golfers.

Global Popularity: Wie’s success on the golf course has made her a global superstar. She has a massive following on social media and has been featured in numerous advertisements and campaigns. Her popularity has helped grow the game of golf worldwide.

Redefining the Game: Wie’s unique swing and aggressive playing style have made her one of the most exciting golfers to watch. She has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the game of golf and has inspired a new generation of golfers to play with creativity and passion.

Role Model for Young Golfers

Inspiration: Since her early success, Park has been a role model for young golfers around the world. She has inspired many young players to pursue their dreams and strive for greatness on the golf course.

Mentorship: Park has also been involved in mentoring young golfers, sharing her knowledge and experience with the next generation of players. She has been a positive influence on many young golfers, helping them to develop their skills and reach their full potential.

Philanthropy: In addition to her mentorship efforts, Park is also involved in several charitable organizations that help support young golfers. She has donated time and resources to programs that provide opportunities for young players to develop their skills and pursue their dreams of playing golf at the highest level.

Breaking Barriers in the Golf Industry

Representation: With her success on the LPGA tour, Sorenstam became a trailblazer for female golfers and helped increase the visibility and representation of women in the sport.

Gender Equality: In 2003, Sorenstam made history as the first woman in 58 years to play in a PGA Tour event. Her participation in the Colonial Invitational challenged gender stereotypes and highlighted the issue of gender equality in golf.

Business Ventures: Sorenstam has also broken barriers in the golf industry with her entrepreneurial ventures. In 2008, she founded the ANNIKA Foundation, which promotes golf for children and supports women’s golf through scholarships and financial assistance.

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