Lexi Thompson made a little more history Thursday in the Navistar LPGA Classic, opening her title defence with a career-best 9-under 63 to match the tournament record.
Last year, Thompson became the youngest champion in LPGA Tour history at age 16, winning by five strokes. Fifteen year-old amateur Lydia Ko broke the record last month in the Canadian Women's Open.
Thompson had nine birdies in her bogey-free round on the links-style Senator course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Capitol Hill complex. She missed only one green in regulation and had 26 putts.
"It feels really good getting a first round of 63 under my belt, but you just have to take it one shot at a time," Thompson said. "Can't get ahead of yourself in this game, so just going to hope to play like I did today for the next three rounds."
Thompson's previous best score on the LPGA Tour was a 65 in the final round of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic.
Lizette Salas and Hee Young Park were tied for second at 65, and thirdranked Stacy Lewis was another stroke back.
