Lexi Thompson worked ‘harder than ever’ in the off-season but is hoping consistency will help her to continually improve on the golf course.
The American star made sure to enjoy the time she had off after the end of the LPGA Tour season and she played in the QBE Shootout in December, but also put in the hard work in the gym and with her game.
After completing her 12th season on Tour, the 28-year-old is raring to go and be back on the golf course in 2023.
“I had some time off after I played in the QBE Shootout in December,” she explained. “I made sure I spent that quality time with my family and friends and just to get that relaxation, but at the same time, I trained harder than ever.
“I worked extremely hard on my game and fitness, and really just trying to keep everything intact, work on a few things in my game, and to keep on improving.
“Whether it’s training in the gym one or two times a day, but I’ve spent multiple hours each and every day in the practice facility working on the things that I needed to improve on and just keeping everything consistent.
“Consistency has been key, so just keeping the things that I’ve been working on and just continuing to improve on them with my game and on the mental side as well.
“I think the key for me is taking the time off when needed and not really overdoing it, skipping events that I feel like I need to to get the rest and to make sure my game is in the right spot for the tournaments that I thoroughly enjoy and the golf courses that I really like that suit my game the best.
“I just finished my 12th year on Tour, so it’s pretty unbelievable to think I just turned 28. It’s taking the time for myself, living life and enjoying it, but at the same time, performing the best that I can when I do.”
Thompson, who won the Individual title at the Aramco Team Series – New York last year, is playing at the Aramco Saudi Ladies International presented by Public Investment Fund for the first time.
The Major champion is teeing it up in the first round alongside defending champion Georgia Hall and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka.
And the U.S. Solheim Cup star is expecting a tough test with the windy conditions at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“I’m really happy to be here first off,” she said. “First time being here, so it’s been exciting so far. I got to play the full 18 on Tuesday, and it’s in amazing shape.
“It was a little windier today, but I have been very welcome so far, so looking forward to the start of the week tomorrow.
“I’ve heard that the course plays quite a bit different in the afternoon, especially if it gets super windy and the course maybe dries out a little bit, but I played in the morning yesterday.
“If it gets windy, flighting your shots properly and just to start it off getting in the fairway is always the number one priority.
“The greens are a little tricky. There are quite some hills in them, so getting in the right sections and really thinking about those second shots going into the greens with the pin placements will be key.”
There is an elevated prize fund this week which has been raised from US$1m to US$5m and sees parity with the men’s PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.
On the prize purse, Thompson added: “It’s amazing news. To be here this week, to be playing for the same prize fund as the men did, it’s quite the accomplishment, and I think it’s just showing that the women’s game is moving in the right direction for us.”
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