Thompson Cruises to First Major Title


Though it's rare for any golfer to make it look easy in the final round of a major championship, Lexi Thompson did just that on Sunday at the Dinah Shore Tournament Course in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

The 19-year-old from Florida showed incredible composure when it mattered the most, closing with a steely 4-under 68 at Mission Hills Country Club to win the Kraft Nabisco Championship - the LPGA Tour's first major of the year - by a comfortable three strokes.

Thompson separated herself on the front nine from fellow 54-hole co-leader Michelle Wie, posting four birdies on the outward half to make the turn in 4-under 32 for a comfortable lead over the field.

She carded pars the rest of the way en route to a flawless, bogey-free outing when it counted the most. Thompson finished the 72 holes at 14-under 274, earning $300,000 and the famed celebratory drenching in Poppie's Pond.

The victory was Thompson's fourth on the LPGA, and the biggest of her young career. "I've worked all my life to win a major - I've always dreamed about jumping into Poppie's Pond," she said at greenside in advance of the winner's traditional leap into the water hazard beside the 18th green at the iconic venue.

She soon made the jump with her caddie and family members, including both parents.

Thompson seemed stunned with the result, but knew it was because of her steady play. "Overall, it was a very solid week," she said, in an understatement.

"On the first tee I was definitely nervous but it just shows how much I care about it. I've worked my life to win a major. This was my main goal coming into this year to win a major."

Thompson finished three strokes ahead of Wie, who closed with a 71. The 24-year-old Wie was impressed with the play of her good friend. "I just could never catch up with her," said the Hawaii native, who was positioned for her first major but fell behind quickly on the first nine holes with two bogeys and a birdie.

"Lexi just played amazing today. It was a struggle to catch up to her all day. She hit the ball the best I have ever seen her hit it and she made everything. I am really proud of her, she played amazing out there. I just couldn't get anything going and I couldn't catch up to her. But at the end of the day I am still proud of myself."

Wie rallied coming home, recording three birdies and a bogey to easily finish as the runner-up.

Stacy Lewis posted a 69 to take third place, seven strokes back at 281, while veterans Cristie Kerr (72) and South Korea's Se Ri Pak (74) shared fourth at 6-under 282.

China's Shanshan Feng (72) finished in sixth at 283, and tied for seventh at 284 were Angela Stanford (72), Spain's Azahara Munoz (72) and English teen Charley Hull (74).

Defending champion and No. 1-ranked Inbee Park closed with a 75 to finish in 38th at 4-over 292.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.