LPGA commissioner Mike Whan won’t be loading up Lexi Thompson with expectations when she joins the LPGA as a full-time member next year.
“She doesn’t have to carry any more weight than the weight of her bag,” Whan said Friday. “I don’t think she needs to feel like she has to come in and save anything or create anything. She can just play golf. We have plenty of stars and attention to go around.”
Thompson, 16, became the youngest winner in tour history when she claimed the Navistar LPGA Classic title two weeks ago. She’ll face greater expectations going into next season.
“I don’t feel the need to put any pressure on Lexi to win or carry the tour,” Whan said. “I think she’s a phenomenal talent. She’s been progressing at an incredible rate. And if she doesn’t win again the next three years, the LPGA’s going to be just fine. And if she wins six times a year for the next three years, then the LPGA will be just fine, too. The great news for the LPGA is we have an incredible crop of young talent.”
