Lexi Thompson

Height: 6 ft

Born: February 10, 1995

Birthplace: Coral Springs, Florida

Turned Pro: 2010

Sponsors: Cobra, Puma, Red Bull

Alexis “Lexi” Thompson is an American female golf prodigy. Lexi qualified for the U.S. Open as a 12-year old and turned pro in June 2010 at the age of 15. In September 2011 she became the youngest winner in the history of the LPGA Tour at just 16 years and 7 months old. A few short months later, she won on the Ladies European Tour.

Thompson’s age was an issue early in her career. The LPGA has altered their minimum age for competition on multiple occasions in the past decade. Lexi had to rely on sponsor’s invitations and sometimes qualifying to earn her way into tournaments.

Surviving two rounds of qualifiers, Thompson gained entry for the 2010 U.S. Women’s Open. She played solidly all week and finished in a tie for 10th and cashed her first paycheck of $72,131. This performance got her into the Evian Masters where she tied for second and took home more than $240,000.

Thompson’s success and unusual position spurred her to petition the LPGA for full-time player status for the 2011 season. The LPGA rejected her petition but they did relax the rules for Monday qualifying which effectively allowed Thompson to play in a dozen tournaments the next season.

From there, the success has continued. Thompson won the Navistar LPGA Classic in 2011. She won three times in 2013 including her first Major – the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Thompson has six career top tens in the Major tournaments. She ended 2014 the 10th ranked player in the Women’s World Golf Rankings.