2017 will be remembered as a year of highs and lows for American golfer Lexi Thompson (anyone remember the
ANA Inspiration penalty debacle?) After a roller coaster 12 months both on and off the golf course, Thompson won the CME Race to the Globe but lost Sunday’s season ending CME Group Tour Championship after missing a two-foot putt on the 18th hole.
Thompson’s missed putt gave way to Ariya Jutanugarn taking the title with a one-stroke victory. While the American lost the tournament she did go away with a trophy (the Vare for having the lowest adjusted scoring average) and $1 million for winning the Race to the Globe. But was that enough to erase the devastating blows this season has dealt the 22 year-old?
“Just going through what I have this whole year and seeing how strong I am and how I got through it all and still won two tournaments, got five, six seconds, I don’t even know, I think it just shows I just moved on,” Thompson told reporters afterwards. Adding, “I continue to work hard in my off weeks. It didn’t stop me, and this won’t either.”
While the upsets have garnered much of the headlines, Thompson’s season hasn’t been all bad. The Puma player has ended the year with two titles, six runner-ups and was a member of this year’s winning Solheim Cup team. Last week Thompson’s mum was also given the all clear after being diagnosed with cancer in the summer. So while Sunday might not have gone exactly to plan, this golfer was able to still maintain her smile.
“It wasn’t the way I wanted to end it,” said Thompson afterwards before adding, “Yeah, it just happens. I guess it’s golf.”
That last statement is something we think most players can relate to. But unlike Lexi we don’t have $1 million to help soften the blow today!
