RIYADH: There’s an air of confidence in Lexi Thompson’s voice as she considers her chances at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International Presented by PIF.
With her second tournament of 2024 set to start in Riyadh on Thursday February 15, a relaxed Thompson was speaking to media – with the American chasing a first win since 2022.
After Alison Lee became the first American woman to win in Saudi Arabia back in 2023 at the Aramco Team Series Presented by PIF – Riyadh, Thompson is hoping to be next in-line to claim a trophy in the country.
“I wasn’t here in October, but I did hear that it’s playing a bit differently, a little bit more length, and then the wind, which I think will play a big factor on the golf course.”
“It’s a great layout, it definitely involves a lot of thinking, I think going into the greens, a few of the tee shots are definitely on the wider side, but some of them neck up in certain areas.
“It’s a thinking golf course. But especially with the wind that we’re expecting, gusts of 25 to 30 miles per hour, you just have to trust your lines off the tees and really commit out there.”
Thompson will be buoyed by her positive performance at last year’s tournament, where she equalled a course record at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, helping on her way to a T3 finish — missing out by just three strokes to Lydia Ko.
But rather than pile the pressure on herself, Thompson has been taking it all in her stride, even when a humpbacked hazard arrived on the golf course.
“Getting to see two camels out on the course? You certainly don’t get to see that every day in a Pro-Am. I’m enjoying the whole experience. I think all the girls are and it’s an amazing field this week and I think it just speaks wonders to the tournament.”
With a strong field set to include previous champions Georgia Hall and Emily Pedersen, as well World No. 8 Charley Hull, it’s certainly going to be a battle for Lexi Thompson out in the desert.
But with a renewed optimism, and the desire to capture some of last year’s magic, there’s hope for Thompson that 2024 can start in the best possible way, and claim the mammoth $5m USD prize fund.
“It’s my number one goal to win the tournament. I’m just going to take one shot at a time, fully commit to each and every shot, and see where it takes me.”
