Lexi Thompson leads Workforce USA, silences doubters on the Solheim Cup

Lexi Thompson has struggled all through 2023, as she has missed eight cuts and did not document a single high 10. She has not received an LPGA occasion in over 4 years too.

But, U.S. Captain Stacy Lewis despatched Thompson out within the opening match of the 2023 Solheim Cup, which drew loads of criticism.

Would the 28-year-old deal with the strain of putting the opening tee shot? Would her poor type diminish Workforce USA’s possibilities of getting off to a strong begin on European soil? These are simply a number of the questions that happened Thursday after the primary pairings have been introduced.

However the Solheim Cup is Thompson’s favourite occasion.

“It means the world to me to have the ability to play within the Solheim Cup,” Thompson mentioned forward of the competitors. “I do know it’s my primary objective yearly to be on that crew representing my nation. There’s nothing like waking up, placing my nation’s colours on, and going to symbolize and be alongside a crew at that.”

Lewis took observe of Thompson’s feedback and fervour for the competitors, as her transfer to ship Thompson out first paid off.

Thompson, together with Megan Khang, received the opening foursomes match 2 & 1 over Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Europe.

Photograph by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos

The Individuals dominated out of the gate, profitable the primary three holes to go 3-up early.

However Thompson and Khang cooled off, because the Tremendous Swedes, Stark and Grant, rallied over the following few holes.

On the par-3 sixth, the Individuals made a bogey, whereas the Europeans took benefit of their mistake and made a par.

Then, just like the sixth, Thompson and Khang made one other bogey on the par-4 eleventh, and the Europeans seized the chance once more.

So, by the point this group arrived on the twelfth gap, the Individuals held a 1-up lead.

That rapidly turned all sq. as Stark and Grant tied the match on the par-4 thirteenth gap with a birdie.

But, Thompson was not phased. Neither was Khang.

The Individuals dug deep and birdied the par-4 fifteenth to regain management of the match.

Two holes later, on the par-3 seventeenth, Thompson and Khang closed out the match with par, silencing the doubters.

That gave Workforce USA its second level of the morning, because the crimson, white, and blue would sweep the session for the primary time in Solheim Cup historical past.

The Individuals maintain a commanding 4-0 lead heading into Friday afternoon fourball at Finca Cortesín Golf Membership in Málaga, Spain.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough too.