Though the Aramco Team Series is a Saudi Arabian event at the Trump International Golf Club, South Florida product Lexi Thompson gets a chance to play in her backyard this week and on her home course owned by one of her favorite people.
Thompson, a Coral Springs native who now lives in Delray Beach, shot to fame when she was 12, winning a USGA qualifier to earn a spot in the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open, becoming the youngest to do so.
Crediting her two golf-playing brothers, Thompson turned pro at 15 and won her first LPGA event at 16.
At 28, the 6-footer has 11 LPGA titles, still going strong, though she has taken a respite in 2023, playing few events.
The Aramco Series, now in its third year, is part team event, part individual tournament with its sponsor a Saudi Arabian oil company.
The format calls for a foursome of three pros from either the LPGA or Ladies European Tour linked with one amateur. The tournament takes place Friday to Sunday at the suburban West Palm Beach course.
The team event is Friday and Saturday and the individual title is up for grabs in Sunday’s final round. (The scores of the pros are added up from the three days of rounds).
The tournament is the second Aramco event of 2023 after March’s Singapore event won by Lydia Ko, who also is entered here. The tournament continues in London, Hong Kong and Riyadh.
More: Lexi Thompson in photos through the years
In October, Thompson won the first Aramco event on American soil, held in The Bronx at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point. Thompson is now on home turf trying for an American sweep.
Thursday, the pre-tournament pro-am will be held and is closed to the public and media. Sources indicated former President Donald Trump is expected to compete.
Thompson held a news conference at Trump International, then conducted this Q&A with The Palm Beach Post.