American star Lexi Thompson is back in the winning circle after keeping her nerve and taking the singles title at the Aramco Team Series – New York. Winning the Ladies European Tour at Trump Golf Links Ferry Point is the 27-year-old world number four’s first title since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019.
Ladies European Tour: Lexi Thompson wins for the first time since 2019
In sunny and windy conditions in New York, Thompson held off the challenge of world number six Brooke Henderson and Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom on Saturday with a final round of 69 to finish the tournament with a three-shot lead at 11 under par.
Thompson, who started the final round with two more shots, used Korda’s first bogey to birdwatch his first hole and give himself an early pillow that he held all day. Thompson’s putter remained hot all week and drifted away from the pack of pursuers with four out of the friendliest nine birds.
“I started the same today as yesterday, I just played aggressive golf and I was pretty hot,” he said.
“I got a great shot on number 1 six, seven yards and I got it, and I wanted to play golf without fear and definitely not play the pins and focus on my shots. I made some really good shots and some bad ones, but with this wind you have to face the bad guys as best you can. “
Thompson’s victory, who is taking his brother with him this week, is the culmination of several top ten finishes this year, with Florida’s hard work paying off on the pitch.
“I worked very hard on my game. I felt like it was only a matter of time, but I just wanted to play golf and establish myself in the final rounds and learn from the losses I had and what I had to work on, which I brought with me up to to date”.
Henderson will make his debut second in the Aramco Team Series
Brooke Henderson, making her Aramco Team Series debut, found her best form of the week on the final lap, catching up with a string of late birdies in the last nine. The Canadian played a group of 68 and is tied for second place with Sagstrom at eight under par.
“I think I was just trying to catch some birds and get as high as I could,” said the two-time Major winner.
“I was happy to score 4 under the wind. I feel my game is in good shape which is exciting for the rest of the LPGA season in a couple of weeks and I hope I can finish strong because it has been a really great year. “.
Nelly Korda was looking to win the Aramco Team Series for the second consecutive year, but three bogeys in the top nine slowed her down. However, the world number 4 reacted, scoring 33 hits and three birdies for a round of 72 and a fourth place (-7).
It was a very frustrating start to the day, very strange in the top nine, “Korda said.” I just didn’t feel like myself. But then in the first nine things went well and I finished the lap strong. It was a good boost to confidence. It’s really cool to see Lexi win and it’s also good for the golf she has won. She played really solid golf and this year she played really solid golf. It was only a matter of time, “he added.
Madelene Sagstrom was frustrated that she didn’t cross the finish line today, but admitted it was great to get back into a big tournament and play in the final round with Thompson and Korda.
“We all came here to try and win,” he said. “That was the attitude I went in this week. I haven’t been in a situation like that for a while, so it’s good to be back. I think every time we play with the best players, it improves a little. Playing with them, feeling at ease and being in that situation is always good. “
The Aramco Team Series will culminate in 2022 next month at the final tournament of the year in Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
(Text: Aramco Team Series Presse)
