Lexi Thompson might not have won the championship on Sunday, but she has brought a victory that’s major in every other way.
The American beat the best South Koreans in their Korean homeland in the only LGPA event staged in a nation where women’s golf is so wildly popular.
She came from behind in the final round to overtake Korean-born Lydia Ko at the KEB Hana Bank Championship, denying Ko the Rolex world No. 1 ranking a month after Ko came from behind to beat her in the final round of the year’s final major.
Massive Korean galleries swarmed the Sky 72 Ocean Course Sunday.
“I would say this is more of a major feel coming over here, with how big the crowds are and how the golf courses are set up, the grandstands,” Thompson said. “Just the whole feel of it, this is like a major championship over here, for our Asia Swing.”
One stroke behind Ko and up-and-coming Korean LPGA star Sung Hyun Park at day’s start, Thompson overtook them both with a 3-under-par 69. At 15 under overall, Thompson finished a shot ahead of Park and Yani Tseng and two ahead of Ko, Gerina Piller and Amy Yang.
(Via Golf Channel)
“That’s what I’ve been working on, my short game, my chipping and my putting in the offseason, trying to improve upon that,” Thompson said.
Source: Golf Channel
