Lexi Wins Honda LPGA Thailand By Six Strokes
American Lexi Thompson lifted up her seven LPGA title after she hit a final round of 68 for a six stroke victory over South Korea In Gee Chun of South Korea in the final round of the US$1.6 Million LPGA Thailand at the par 72 Siam Country Club on Sunday.
The 21-year-old from Florida was on fire, hitting an eagle on the 10 th hole, three birdies and a lone bogey for a total 20-under-par 268 to become the first American champion in the tournament.
“I never like to count it as a win until it’s over. I just try to play aggressive and play my best out there,” said the world No 4 whose four shot advantage at start was reduced to one after the Korean opened with three straight birdies.
“I was just saying I had to make birdies to win this thing. She was playing unbelievable with a three-birdie start there, and I knew I had to make birdies to stop her. I was just trying to focus on my game and nobody else's out there,’ added Thompson who won the US$240,000 winner’s prize money.
As the first American winner, Lexi said: “It means the world to me. I'm out here not only representing myself but representing my country being an American, and this being a huge year with the Olympics. But I'm just trying to focus on my own game, not anybody else's. Just trying to do my best and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I'm out here following my dreams, honestly.”
Last year’s US Women Open champion Chun despite firing eight birdies committed four bogeys and a double bogey on the 17 th before ending with a 70 and a four day total of 14-under-par 274. The Korean in her second event as an LPGA member had to be content with the runner up prize money of US$148,000 as runner up
World No 25 Jessica Korda of the United States fired eight birdies for a 64, the second player after Thompson this week to hit with the same mark. Her total of 13-under-par 275 tied her at third place along with defending champion Amy Yang of Korea, who signed off with a 70.
“It would have been nice to not shoot 3 over yesterday and end up pulling myself totally out of the tournament, but it's a good redemption around for sure,” said Korda who recovered from a dismal 76 on Saturday.
