We look at how 2010 was the year that American female golfer Alexis Thompson burst onto the LPGA scene.
The journey
Lexi Thompson began her career with a first hole-in-one and a first win at the age of just seven. (She achieved another hole-in-one aged 11…) In 2007, she became the youngest-ever qualifier for the US Women's Open, making the cut for the first time in 2009, the same year she was named Golfweek's 2009 Women's Amateur Player of the Year and the 2009 Junior Girls Player of the year. In what was her bumper year as an amateur player, she represented her country in the Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Solheim Cup, and was the youngest winner ever of the Junior PGA Championship in 2009. In 2010, Alexis and her amateur colleagues won the 2010 Curtis Cup – the ladies amateur team championship played against Great Britain & Ireland – with the USA
The big event
Alexis turned pro in June 2010, and immediately made headlines in the Evian Pro Masters in France. Right until the very end, Thompson was in with a shout of becoming the youngest winner on the LPGA Tour ever, breaking a 60-year-old record, before dropping a shot and finishing tied-for-second, just missing out on a play-off with eventual winner Ji Yai Shin. Days later, in her first Major, the US Women's Open at Oakmont, California, Alexis made the cut and finally the top 10, a truly amazing debut.
Best quote of the year
“I see myself as being one of the top LPGA players – if not the best – in the world…”
Alexis, when asked by redbull.com where she thought she would be in 10 years’ time.
Top images 
François Portmann/Red Bull Photofiles
Alexis was photographed just days after turning pro back in June
François Portmann/Red Bull Photofiles
Alexis celebrated the announcement of her association with Red Bull with a ride in a Red Bull Racing NASCAR Toyota
What’s next in 2011?
Having impressed in her first five pro appearances, Thompson is currently campaigning to be allowed to take part in more than the six exempted 2011 events that under-18s are allowed to enter under LPGA rules. (She will only turn 16 in February 2011.) Her plan is to enter 12 – and as she is already 29th on the money list after just five tournaments, she clearly feels she deserves to…
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