Post by tutu on Sept 19, 2011 5:52:57 GMT
Lexi Thompson carded a 5-under 67 to increase her lead in the Navistar LPGA Classic to a whopping five strokes.
The 16-year-old from golf clubs for saleCoral Gables, Fla., stands at 15-under 201 in the $1.3 million, 72-hole event, which is being held on one of Alabama's RTJ Trail courses, The Senator at Capitol Hill in Prattville.
Thompson had six birdies through 17 holes. She could have had an even bigger lead heading into Sunday's final round but the teenager bogeyed the par-4 closing hole. Through 54 holes she's had 18 birdies and only three bogeys.
Count LPGA Hall of Fame member Juli Inkster as among the players impressed with Thompson. "Oh, my God, it's incredible," said the 51-year-old. "She's 16. I didn't even Callaway Legacy Forged Ironsstart until I was 15, so she's a good player. She hits it long. She's got a good touch. She works on her game. You know, it's incredible.
"(At) 16 I didn't even know what the LPGA was, you know," Inkster remarked, drawing laughter from reporters. "I just kind of fell into golf. I got a job working at the golf course and I just started playing. You know, I never watched golf."
Alone in second at 10-under 206 is South Korea's Meena Lee (69), while tied for third at 208 are AmericanCallaway FT-IQ Driver Tiffany Joh, who had Saturday's low round, a 7-under 65, England's Karen Stupples (68) and Welshwoman Becky Morgan (72).
Three Americans - Pat Hurst (68), Jennifer Johnson (71) and Stacy Lewis (73) - are tied for sixth at 209 with Italy's Giulia Sergas (71).
Defending champion and the No. 1-ranked player in women's golf, Yani Tseng, struggled to a 3-over 75 Saturday and is tied for 43rd at even-par 216.
Thompson is playing in the Navistar LPGA Classic on a sponsor's exemption. The teenager has also been granted a waiver to seek LPGA membership through its three-stage Titleist 910 D2 Driverqualifying process. In last month's first phase, she ended up 10 shots ahead of the next highest finisher at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.
A win this week would give Thompson an immediate LPGA membership and allow her to bypass the remainder of qualifying. Thompson's highest finish as a pro was a T2 behind winnerTitleist 910 D3 Driver Jiyai Shin in the 2010 Evian Masters.