Lexi Thompson was left a bit frustrated on the greens of the Majlis course, but was happy to start the defence of her Omega Ladies Masters title with a solid opening round of three-under par 69.
The 17-year-old, from Coral Springs, Florida, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Annika Sorenstam as the only two-time winner of the event, and was three shots behind leaders Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker after the opening round on Monday.
“I am happy with the start,” said the world No24. “I could have dropped a few more putts, I had a lot of lip-outs out there, but three-under through the first round, I’ll take it.
“I am just hoping to see a few more putts drop. I had some good strokes out there and that’s all you can do, commit to the line and put a good stroke on it. And if it’s a bad read, it’s a bad read. Or just unlucky sometimes. Hopefully, a few of them will drop.”
Thompson did have a shaky start as she sandwiched a birdie on the par-5 third hole between dropped shots on the first and fourth, but was calm thereafter. She missed an eagle putt from 10 feet on the 18th hole after a well-struck 4-iron second shot from 189 yards, but that wasn’t the reason for her frustration.
Thompson was hoping to take advantage of her early tee time today in the second round. The wind at the Emirates Golf Club is usually calm in the morning before becoming swirly and high as the afternoon progresses. “
I think it will probably be a little less wind. It actually calmed down towards the end. But I’m only three back right now so just keep on shooting under par, 4 or 5-under, and that will put me in good position for the weekend.”
Thompson’s fellow American, Michelle Wie, who apparently spent her day in the hospital on Monday following a viral attack, teed up and did her chances no harm with a round of two-under par 70.
Wie, who left as soon as she completed her round, was seen sitting down and holding her head several times during the round. She could have scored even better if not for a double-bogey six on the 12th hole, where she hit her tee shot out of bounds.
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