While the early tournaments of the 2023 LPGA Tour season have attracted a ton of big names and generated even more exciting play, there’s been one name missing from nearly all the pairings: Lexi Thompson.
The Chevron Championship will be just the second start on tour for Thompson after playing the LPGA Drive On Championship a few weeks ago. The only other early event she has played was the Aramco Saudi Ladies International on the LET. Otherwise, Thompson has been entirely absent from competition.
While it may seem daring to play just one event before competing in a major tournament, the decision to take a step back from the range was calculated and deliberate. In fact, Thompson plans to work more off time into her schedule moving forward.
“I think I’m just a lot more refreshed,” Thompson told the media in a press conference on Wednesday. “I’m in a better mindset, more relaxed, just happier to be out here. Not saying that I wasn’t before, but just refreshed. I had the time off that I needed.
“I’ve taken the offseason, gotten to spend a lot of time with my family and friends, and I gave myself an extra month basically. Just kind of spacing out my events, making sure I’m nice and healthy and not too tired for the events that I really want to play in and the golf courses that set up for my game.”
Thompson started playing golf when she was five and was playing in tournaments by the time she was seven. At just 28 years old, Thompson has already spent 13 years on tour – almost half of her life. So, it’s safe to say she’s had her ups and downs with the game. As time goes on, it’s become clear to Thompson that stepping away from the course is just as important as spending time on it.
“This is my 13th year, so it’s not like it’s just my first, second year,” Thompson said. “I’ve been playing golf since I was five years old. I haven’t known anything different ever since I was 12. Not so much burnt out, but maybe in too much of a routine. I’m not even going to say rut, but I just wasn’t allowing myself to go on vacations and live life more because there’s just so much more to it than a game.”
But, of course, it’s Lexi Thompson, so didn’t leave the course behind completely. She spent hours practicing and shoring up her game in preparation for her return to competition.
Putting is always on the top of Thompson’s list, but in her weeks off she spent much more time on the driving range than usual. With a long course on deck at the Chevron Championship, Thompson wanted to make sure that she was consistent off the tee.
Importantly, Thompson also practiced not thinking about golf.
“I was training probably harder than ever when I was home, but I made sure to take the time later in the day and the nights to really unwind and get my mind off golf,” Thompson said. “Make sure that I’m excited to come back out.”
The 11-time LPGA winner has been grinding, both on and off the course, and now it’s time to put it all to the test. Luckily, The Chevron Championship is the perfect place for Thompson to gauge her game. For one, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is well suited to Thompson’s striking style of play.
“It’s on the longer side, so I get to hit a lot of drivers out there,” Thompson said. “I think there’s maybe two or three that I don’t hit driver on, so I would say it sets up for me, but you have to hit the fairways. It’s pretty demanding off the tee, but it’s longer, so it’s definitely a ball striker’s golf course."
Additionally, Thompson can enjoy the perks that come with being a former Chevron Champion – her first at only major victory. She won the event in 2014 with a 14-under 274, three shots ahead of runner-up Michelle Wie West. Monday night, Thompson got to unwind and enjoy the annual Champions dinner ahead of the competition.
“Well, it’s such an honor just to be surrounded by those women,” Thompson said. “I got to sit at the table with Juli Inkster and Pat Hurst and they’re always a riot together, so we had so many laughs and just good memories. It was an honor for me to be there that night, and so many traditions to go into this event, so I’m happy to be part of that one."
Another win at the Chevron Championship would be incredible for Thompson. Not only would it be her second major, but her first trip to the winner’s circle since 2019.
“Winning this one would mean the world to me,” Thompson said. “It’s such a high honor, just to be able to win a major, but to be able to win The Chevron Championship with all the tradition and past champions behind it – there’s nothing like it. There’s a lot of traditions and history, and when I jumped into Poppie’s Pond it was such a special moment. But I know Chevron will do this tournament right here in Texas, and it'll be top-notch.
“I’m just going to take it one step at a time and see where that takes me.”
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