U.S. Girls' Junior Golf: Thompson Keeps Even Keel

By BRUCE BERLET | Courant Staff Writer WEST HARTFORD - — Comparisons to Michelle Wie could unnerve any young girl. Becoming the youngest to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open is cause for plenty of attention. But it bordered on the absurd for Alexis Thompson, who entered the U.S. Golf Association record book last year when she teed it up in the national championship at Pine Needles in North Carolina. She was 12. "I was so excited about all the autographs that I forgot I had to play golf," she said. The distractions became tolerable three weeks ago at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minn., where Thompson again traded shots with Lorena Ochoa, Annika Sorenstam and winner Inbee Park. Interviews continued, but Thompson had time to visit a pet shop and practice, as she does seven hours a day while home-schooled in Coral Springs,... [read full story]