PRATTVILLE, Alabama – Fourteen-year-old Alexis Thompson shot a 3-under 69 on Friday for a share of the lead with top-ranked Lorena Ochoa and three others after the second round of the Navistar LPGA Classic.
Thompson, from Coral Springs, Florida, is trying to become the youngest winner in LPGA Tour history.
“I can say I’m really mature for 14,” said Thompson, the sister of PGA Tour player Nicholas. “I would definitely say that. I just play golf every day. I mean, I’m young. That’s the only difference.
“I’m pretty good for a young player. ... I’m 14 and I just love to play golf.”
Marlene Hagge won the 1952 Sarasota Open 14 days after her 18th birthday and took the Bakersfield Open two months later, but both were 18-hole events. Paula Creamer won the 2005 Sybase Classic at 18 years, 9 months to become the youngest winner of a full tournament.
Ochoa (68), Laura Davies (65), Yani Tseng (63) and Giulia Sergas (65) matched Thompson at 10-under 134 on The Senator course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail’s Capitol Hill complex. Tseng matched the tournament record with her 63.
Sophie Gustafson, the winner last week in California, was 9 under after a 65, and Michelle Wie (70) and first-round leader Janice Moodie (72) topped a group at 8 under.
Jennifer Rosales was at 141 with a 69-72. (AP)