Justin Thomas' Perfect Advice for Lexi Thompson at US Women's Open
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Several years have passed, but Justin Thomas certainly hasn't forgotten his only official tournament experience at Erin Hills Golf Course. With LPGA Tour stars now playing there in the U.S. Women's Open, Thomas had in store some advice for whoever wanted to take it.
"Hit it as far as you can and high," Thomas summed it up.
His opinion was mainly aimed at none other than the 'semi-retired' Lexi Thompson, who, despite being only 30 years old, is making her 19th consecutive start in this event. Thomas' advice for her was simple: Stay true to your style.
"I was actually talking to Curtis Thompson a little, he's caddieing for Lexi, and he texted me a couple weeks ago asking about it. He said the same thing, like 'any advice', and I'm like just, 'tell Lexi to be Lexi'. Like just send a driver," he said.
The two-time major champion explained that his opinion is based on the unique characteristics of Erin Hills.
"They're big fairways, it was very un-U.S. Open like, in my opinion, the golf course, just with how the fairways were so big and some of the greens were big. But it just was, you know, it was a totally different look and setup."
"I felt like, if you put a driver in your hand, if you drove the ball well and further, at least for the tees and kind of distances were setup on some holes, you would have a huge advantage."
"So somebody like Lexi who is on the longer side of her competitors, it could be a big advantage. So I would look for a longer hitter or a girl that could put a little more height under their irons to probably be successful."
Justin Thomas of the United States speaks to the media prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 13, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Justin Thomas of the United States speaks to the media prior to the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 13, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.Considering his performance at the 2017 US Open, Thomas's opinion on how to play Erin Hills is more than valid. The 16-time PGA Tour winner finished ninth with a score of 8-under, carding rounds of 73, 69, 63, and 75.
In fact, his third-round 63 in 2017 is still the course record at Erin Hills.
Lexi Thompson played in her first US Women's Open at age 12 in 2007. Since then, she has qualified every season, made the cut 14 times, and finished in the top 10 five times. Her best result was in 2019, when she finished tied for second place.
Thompson announced midway through last season that 2024 would be her final year as a 'full-time professional golfer'. However, she has made five starts in 2025, including the US Women's Open, with three cuts made and two top-15 finishes.
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