Tag: Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio

Lexi Thompson back to work in Boca after helicopter ride with Greg Norman

Lexi Thompson hitched a helicopter ride from Boca LPGA event to Orlando with Greg Norman to attend Demo Day at the PGA Merchandise Show. 

[jwplayer RnDbLg3x-9JtFt04J]

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lexi Thompson played the back nine at Boca Rio Golf Club at 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday and then hitched a ride on Greg Norman’s helicopter at the local airport. They stopped at Medalist to pick up Norman and then headed north to Orlando for Demo Day at the PGA Merchandise Show.

“I was a little nervous at first because I’ve never been on one,” said Thompson, “but it was pretty amazing, I’m not gonna lie. Going over the water and everything was beautiful.”

Thompson sat in the back while Norman was up with the pilot. She could hear their exchanges as Norman landed the helicopter. Asked if she’d ever considered following in the footsteps of Peggy Kirk Bell or Arnold Palmer in getting a pilot’s license, Thompson said no, “That scares me.”

The new Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio marks the first time the LPGA has hosted an event in Boca Raton since 1989. Thompson lives 5 1/2 miles away from the course in Delray Beach. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes door to door, depending on the stoplights.

Thompson said she played Boca Rio twice ahead of this week. Both times the wind was blowing 35 mph. On Thursday, she’ll tee it up with Morgan Pressel, who also lives about 15 minutes away in nearby St. Andrews. Morgan’s younger sister Madison, a Symetra Tour player, is in the field as well. Both are members at Boca Rio.

“It’s probably one of the most difficult courses in the area,” said Pressel, “especially around the greens. Out there today, especially with it being so cold today, the greens almost went a little bit dormant and are super slick, so that will really I think make the rest of the week challenging.”

While Thompson’s mom, Judy, put in for 40 or so tickets for the week, Pressel said she’s been mostly passing them out to friends and family. Rounding out the 12:25 p.m. group is last week’s winner, Gaby Lopez.

Thompson plans to keep things low-key at her house in Delray. She’ll cook her own meals, go to her normal gym and hang out with her dog Leo. While she won’t be doing any entertaining, she will probably travel 15 minutes north to her parents’ house in Lake Worth to relax.

One thing she won’t be doing is watching brother Curtis on TV as he competes in Wednesday’s final round of the Korn Ferry Tour’s Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at Baha Mar. They’re a superstitious bunch, and since she was unable to watch coverage during previous rounds, she’s going to keep it the same and follow on live scoring. Curtis is inside the top 10 and within a few shots off the lead.

“It’s amazing what he’s done,” said Thompson. “Unfortunately, I got to see him go through some severe struggles with his game and mental state, but I just tried to be there for him. We all know – I know he’s the most talented person that I’ve ever seen in my life.”

[opinary poll=”does-purse-size-make-a-professional-even” customer=”golfweek”]

[lawrence-related id=778021667,778020722,778017201]

Jaye Marie Green hopes to hoist first LPGA trophy at new hometown event

Jaye Marie Green grew up about 15 minutes from Boca Rio Golf Club, home of the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA. She put 60 tickets at will call.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Jaye Marie Green grew up about 15 minutes from Boca Rio Golf Club in a neighborhood called Hidden Lake. There were 15 to 20 kids on her childhood street, and at least 10 of them plan to come watch her compete in the inaugural Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Raton. She put 60 tickets at will call.

Green’s father, Donnie, has taught at nearby Broken Sound Golf Club for 25 years. He told people to reach out if they needed tickets.

“That was the wrong thing to do,” he said, smiling. “Too many people have my number.”

Jaye Marie now lives about 45 minutes away in Jupiter but will be staying at her parents’ house this week. The door frame of her bedroom closet is still lined with USGA medals. Her runner-up medal from the 2012 U.S. Women’s Amateur, when Green fell in the final match to Lydia Ko, is among them.

“I would love to win in my hometown,” she said. “That’s my No. 1 goal.”

Jaye Marie Green waves to the gallery during the final round of the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open at the Country Club of Charleston. (Photo by John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports)

Green, who has yet to win on the LPGA, plays out of Trump Jupiter when not on the road. She came out to Boca Rio a couple of weeks ago but prior to that hadn’t seen the course in four years. It came back to her instantly.

“It’s always windy like this in south Florida,” said Green. “I think that’s going to be the main thing. This course is really protected by trees, so when you’re standing on the tee box you can’t feel the wind. And it swirls a lot. So it’s really committing to your shots and where the wind is going.”

The forecast for Wednesday’s pro-am round calls for gusts of 30 to 35 mph and feel-like temperatures near freezing.

It’s expected to get warmer as the week goes on.

The 1953 Boca Raton Weather Vane, won Beverly Hanson, marked the first LPGA’s stop in this city. There was another run at Stonebridge Golf and Country Club from 1986 to ’89.

Morgan Pressel and her sister Madison are two more local players who create plenty of buzz this week. Morgan grew up at St. Andrews Country Club and still lives there now with husband Andy Bush. Madison, a Symetra Tour player, is competing on a sponsor exemption.

Green, who went to middle school and high school down the road at Spanish River Christian, hit several shots from a greenside bunker on the 18th with her father nearby. She figures there will be a back-right hole location at some point this week and assumes she’ll take an aggressive line.

“I like to picture myself holding the trophy and what that would feel like,” said Green. “But when I’m playing, I do not let myself think that because then you’re not in the moment.  You’re thinking way too far ahead. That’s a lesson I learned at the U.S. Open.”

Green contended over the weekend in the U.S. Women’s Open at Club of Charleston and tied for fifth.

Older brother, Matt, frequently tells her to soak up those moments and not rush to the finish. Matt typically caddies for Green but is starting his season a little bit later.

“He’s not fired,” said Green, who has already fielded the question quite a few times.

There will be times this week when Green will have to put on blinders to keep focused. But mostly, it’s going to be a blast to look out and see so many who have watched her grow up.

There’s no place like home.

[lawrence-related id=778021621,778021560,778021443]