LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan Friday approved 16-year-old golfer Lexi Thompson's petition to allow her "to receive membership next year on the LPGA." Whan said of Thompson, who earlier this month won the Navistar LPGA Classic: "Her ability to handle the success and disappointment inherent to this game testifies to a level of maturity that I believe makes her capable of handling the emotional rigors of professional golf." LPGA age restrictions require golfers between the ages of 15-18 to "petition for early membership consideration" (CBSSPORTS.com, 9/30).
Shortly after the announcement, Thompson took to her Twitter feed: "Sooo Happy :) Thx for all of the Support! Excited to be a full @LPGA member!!!" CBSSports.com's Steve Elling: "The Lexi tweet is funny. Her age is evident in the number of exclamation points used in two sentences." GolfChannel.com's Jason Sobel before the decision tweeted, "Mike Whan would do some good PR for himself if he makes announcement in a 'Let Lexi Play' t-shirt." Golf World's Ron Sirak: "By granting Lexi membership beginning in 2012, she misses no tournaments. Was not in Asia events and will play Titleholders."
