Lexi Thompson

Lexi Thompson puts shine on LPGA

Lexi Thompson delivered a win for the ages last week.

Actually, it was a win for the youngsters as the 16-year-old Thompson dominated the field and won the Navistar LPGA Classic.

Just as we had been discussing the imminent demise of the LPGA, Thompson storms the field and takes the title in a five-shot win over Tiffany Joh.

Thompson's win last Sunday was so significant that she was the top story on the Golf Channel and even ahead of Justin Rose's win at the BMW Championship.

Not since The Big Wiesy - Michelle Wie - was an amateur has a female golfer caught the attention of the golfing community with such fervour.

For the record, the youngest women to win LPGA events were as 18-year-olds, including Paula Creamer in 2005, Morgan Pressel in 2007 and Marlene Hagge, who won twice, way back in 1952.

Watch out Yani Tseng - you have a target on your back. It appears Thompson is hunting for you.

That can only say good things about the future of the LPGA. Let's watch to see how long this interest lasts.

AND THEN THERE WERE 30

So the FedEx Cup playoffs come down to this 30-horse race for $10 million at the Tour Championship by Coca-Cola in Atlanta. You have to admit it's been hard to get overly excited by these so-called playoffs. Critics say it's a case of the rich get richer while others contend that these golfers are playing their best at the right time of the year, major tournaments be damned.

It is what it is, so just enjoy the shot-making that should be plentiful.

The four-event falls series begins next weekend at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children in Las Vegas. This is when things get interesting. Golfers are literally playing for their livelihood as they try to retain their PGA Tour card for 2012. And then get ready for the President's Cup in November. That's always fun.

BIG DOGS COME OUT

Last week at the Nationwide stop in Boise, two of the long, long hitters put on a show for golf fans in the Battle of the Big Guns.

John Daly and Canadian Jamie Sadlowski, a Re/Max world long-drive champion, were on display. According to PGATour.com, Sadlowski has a club head speed measured at 148 miles per hour. To put that in context, Tiger Woods's club head speed is 120 mph. Sadlowski's ball speed hits 213 mph. Woods averages a club-head speed of 175 mph. Yikes. Sadlowski ended up making the cut - finished tied for last, however - and earned $1,600 for his efforts. But as one might expect, Sadlowski was fist in driving distance with an average of 349.8 yards for the tournament. He can take some solace in that.

DELAET STRUGGLES

After opening with a 5-under front nine on Thursday in Boise, it looked like Saskatchewan's Graham DeLaet was in for a big week. But alas, it would not be his week after all. He ended up 3-over for his back nine and followed that up with a 3-over round Friday to finish outside the cutline.

CANADIANS THIS WEEK

There are only five tournaments on the Nationwide circuit for players hoping to finish the year in the top 25 on the money list when they automatically earn PGA Tour cards for next year.

Jon Mills and Matt McQuillan are the only Canadians in the field this week. Mills sits in 55th position on the money list as top Canadian on the Nationwide Tour and will need a strong finish to earn back his PGA Tour card he once held. jgrainger@thestarphoenix.com

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