Lexi Thompson, who was at the center of a firestorm of controversy in which she lost the first women’s major championship of the year in a playoff after incurring a four-stroke penalty, will be coming to Colorado later this year to conduct an all-girls clinic at The First Tee of Green Valley Ranch.
Kevin Laura, the CEO of The First Tee of GVR and president of Green Valley Ranch GC, said Thompson has committed to lead the clinic, hosted by CoBank, on Aug. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon at GVR.
Thompson has notched seven victories in her LPGA Tour career, including the 2014 ANA Inspiration, the first major of the LPGA season. She’s ranked No. 5 in the world among women and is the top American.
Thompson was in position for another ANA Inspiration victory a month ago, but with six holes to play, she was penalized four shots — two for replacing her marked golf ball in the incorrect spot on the 17th green the day before, and two more for signing an incorrect scorecard because she didn’t learn about it until Sunday after the infraction was pointed out by a TV viewer. After being tied at the end of regulation, So Yeon Ryu beat Thompson in a playoff. Thompson has subsequently called the situation “a nightmare.” Last week, the USGA and R&A announced a subsequent Rules of Golf decision that limits the use of video review, effective immediately.
Thompson’s clinic — and possibly another one GVR officials are working on — will follow on the heels of three held at The First Tee of GVR last year, all hosted by prominent tour players. Hale Irwin, Paula Creamer and Ryan Palmer did the honors last year.
