Wednesday, June 27, 2007

The New Kid on the Golf Course

When the opening round of the women’s U.S. Open begins Thursday at Pine Needles Lodge and Country Club in Southern Pines, N.C., there will be a new face on the course, belonging to 12-year-old American Alexis Thompson, who will become the youngest qualifier to ever compete in the tournament. Thompson shot rounds of 72 and 71 in a sectional tournament in Heathrow, Fla., a few weeks ago in order to qualify for the event.

Most pre-teens might be intimidated by the prospect of playing on the same course as Annika Sorenstam and world number one Lorena Ochoa, but Thompson is taking her success in stride. “It’s great that I made it and I’m having an awesome experience already, but I’m just out here to play golf,” she told Reuters. “If I make the cut, it’s going to be really awesome and if I don’t it’s all right,” she adds.

It’s refreshing to hear some humility and modesty in a young player. Wish some of it would rub off on Michelle Wie.

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