The United States has a new flag carrier.
Lexi Thompson fired a final round 68 to win the Honda LPGA Thailand by seven shots. In the process, she leapfrogged Stacy Lewis as the third ranked player in the Rolex Rankings and the top American golfer in the world.
"It means the world to me. I'm out here not only representing myself but representing my country being an American, and this being a huge year with the Olympics," Thompson said. "But I'm just trying to focus on my own game, not anybody else's. Just trying to do my best and I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I'm out here following my dreams, honestly."
Lexi Thompson becomes just the sixth player to become the top ranked American in the ten years since the Rolex Rankings were created. Lewis held the spot for the past 195 weeks, first taking the crown on June 3, 2012. Only two Americans - Lewis and Cristie Kerr - have ever been World Number One.
Thompson also becomes the first American to win the Honda LPGA Thailand in the ten years (nine tournament) history of the event. The tournament boasts a strong list of past champions, including former top ranked players Inbee Park, Ai Miyazato, Yani Tseng, and Lorena Ochoa.
This is Thompson's seventh LPGA victory, and her third in the past seven months. It also marks her fourth LPGA Tour victory outside the United States.
While the final margin was seven, Thompson did have to sweat it out in the early part of the day. Reigning US Women's Open champion In Gee Chun, Thompson's nearest competitor, made three straight birdies to start the round and get within one. That's as close as she'd get, however, as Chun's inconsistent play, coupled with Thompson's lack of mistakes made it impossible for Chun to catch her. Chun finishes in solo second, her second straight top five finish to begin her rookie season.
With her third top 10 in a row, Ha Na Jang continues to lead the Race For The CME Globe standings. Jang hasn't shot a round worse than 72 in the 16 rounds she has played so far this season.