Lexi Thompson became the first American to capture the Honda LPGA Thailand in its 10-year existence, coasting to a six-stroke victory over In Gee Chun of South Korea on the Pattaya Old Course at Siam Golf Club in Chonburi, Thailand.
The 21-year-old Thompson, who claimed her seventh LPGA Tour title, led much of the way after opening with an 8-under-par 64, bouncing back from a 72 with another 64 and closing with a 68 that included three birdies and a four-foot eagle putt on the 10th hole.
“It means the world to me,” said Thompson, who this week will pass Stacy Lewis for No. 3 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings and become the highest-ranked American. “I’m out here not only representing myself, but representing my country being an American, and this being a huge year with the Olympics
” … 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. I was just saying I had to make birdies to win this thing.”
That’s because Chun, the reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion, birdied her first three holes and four of the first six before cooling off and posting a 70.
Jessica Korda carded a bogey-free 64 and finished seven shots back in a tie for third with Amy Yang of South Korea, who wound up at 70.
Haru Nomura of Japan, coming off her victory a week earlier in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, totaled 68 and was nine strokes behind in a tie for fifth with South Koreans Chella Choi, who wound up at 68, and Hee Young Park, who came in with a 70.
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