Alexis (14) early leader in LPGA Classic with a 65

FROM THE GOLFWEEK.COM WEBSITE
Fourteen-year-old Alexis Thompson, playing her fifth LPGA event, shot a seven-under 65 in the first round of the Navistar LPGA Classic to take the early clubhouse lead Thursday afternoon (local time).
Michelle Wie, after making five birdies and an eagle over her first 17 holes, made bogey on her final hole to shoot 66.
Starting on the back nine, Thompson opened her round with birdies on her first two holes but made the turn only in 2 under, making bogey on the par-4 18th hole.
Thompson, who got into the event after the Tuesday qualifier was cancelled, turned it on her final nine, making five birdies and no bogeys.
“I mean, everything was working for me,” Thompson said. “My ball striking was good. My driver was a little off, but, I mean, I’m not gonna complain.
“I rolled my putter really good,” she said.
It helped that her longest birdie putt of the day was a 15-footer on the par-5 fifth hole. Five of her birdie putts were from within 6 feet.
“I mean, the greens are really fast,” she said. “I got some really fast putts out there that I had to barely tap, but the golf course is great. I’m just honoured to be here.”
Alexis Thompson won her second consecutive American Junior PGA Championship this summer.
Thompson’s appearance at the top of the leaderboard is hardly a surprise, considering her outstanding record in junior and amateur events, not to mention the handful of professional events she has already played.
She tied for low amateur honours at the Kraft Nabisco Championship earlier this year, and finished 34th in the U.S. Women’s Open. In 2007, she becaome the youngest player to ever qualify for the US Women’s Open at 12 years, 4 months and one day.

SCOREBOARD TO COME