Youngest Open qualifier ever no longer Pressel
Morgan Pressel has surrendered the title of "youngest golfer to qualify for a men's or women's U.S. Open" -- to a friend of her sister, no less.
Alexis "Lexie" Thompson -- at 12 years, 4 months, 1 day old -- was one of eight players who advanced Monday through sectional Open qualifying at Florida's Heathrow Country Club.
Pressel, now 19 and in the midst of her second year on the LPGA Tour, was nine days shy of her 13th birthday when she advanced through local qualifying to the U.S. Women's Open in May 2001.
Thompson, of Coral Springs, Fla., shot 72 and even-par 71 to finish 1 over at 6,435-yard Heathrow CC. According to the Palm Beach Post, Pressel learned of Thompson's Open berth through text messages from her sister, Madison, who also was participating in qualifying.
"Good for her," Pressel said to the Post via e-mail Monday night. "It was an awesome experience just remembering everything that I went through as a 13-year-old and how much I have learned and grown. It's exciting that she will have that same opportunity.
"I've known Lexie for a while, and known what a great player she is. My grandfather has always said that she would be the one to break my record, and he was right! Records are made to be broken, and I can't wait to see Alexis out here in a couple of weeks. Hope she's ready for what's coming!"
This year's U.S. Women's Open is June 28-July 1 at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
According to the Post, Thompson has regularly competed against -- and beaten -- players several years older. She has a 24-year-old brother, Nicholas, who currently plays on the Nationwide Tour and won the HSBC New Zealand Championship in February.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old Madison Pressel failed to advance to the Open after shooting 75-77 at Heathrow.
