The LPGA has accepted 16-year-old Alexis Thompson’s "petition for membership” in ’12, allowing her “to enter Q-school and, should she earn her card, become a tour member,” according to Sean Martin of GOLFWEEK.com. LPGA rules state that a player “must be at least 18 years old to become a member,” though the tour has “granted membership to 17-year-olds on a very limited basis.” Jessica Korda, Morgan Pressel and Aree Song “were granted membership at that age, but all turned 18 during their rookie seasons.” Thompson will not turn 18 until ’13, which would make her “the first player to start her rookie year before age 17.” Thompson’s agent, Bobby Kreusler, said that he cited his client's “physical and emotional maturity” in the membership petition, stating that she “is qualified to handle the on- and off-course rigors of professional golf.” Thompson will have to “navigate the LPGA’s new three-stage qualifying structure to earn membership.” The first stage will be held July 26-29 at LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla. , the “same week as the Ricoh Women’s British Open” (GOLFWEEK.com, 7/5). In Orlando, Jeff Shain noted Thompson in May had "a chance to make LPGA history when she took a share of the lead into the final round of the Avnet Classic" in Mobile, Ala. Thompson finished 19th after shooting a 78 in the closing round, but she "earned praise for the way she handled the disappointment" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 7/6).
ACE IN THE HOLE: GOLFWEEK.com’s Beth Ann Baldry wrote the LPGA “needs the kind of buzz that Thompson can bring.” Baldry: “Thompson needs to get on with it before boredom sets in. At this point, it does neither party any good to wait another year.” Golfer Laura Davies: “She’s good enough; she’s good enough. That’s just the way it is. I hope I’m in the majority because it’s very shortsighted if they’re not up for it. We need all the good players we can get.” But golfer Stacy Lewis “expressed reservations about letting minors earn LPGA membership.” Lewis: "Kids need to be kids.” Baldry noted the LPGA’s future "does not rest on Thompson’s young shoulders,” but there is “no question that the tour could benefit from her success, particularly with domestic sponsorships” (GOLFWEEK.com, 7/5).
SHE IS AN AMERICAN GIRL: ESPNW.com’s Mick Elliott wrote for “much of this year, women’s golf has spent too much time out of sight and out of mind." With only 10 official events played so far, “the season has endured long stretches of down-time that have caused it to lurch along like a student driver facing the challenge of a standard transmission.” But summer brings the LPGA’s “growing season,” a six-week stretch that "provides three major championships and a major-wannabe.” Elliott: “If the LPGA is going to draw the attention its members insist they deserve, there will be no better opportunity -- at least not this year -- than this busy stretch.” Golfer Suzann Pettersen, who is from Norway, said the LPGA “really needs those Americans to play well.” Pettersen: “The LPGA, I would not say we are in great shape. We are struggling to keep tournaments, to kind of fill our schedule. To grow back strong in the American market, we need those American girls” (ESPNW.com, 7/5).
