The Youngest to Win on L.P.G.A. Tour

It is not often that golf prodigies fulfill their promise so quickly. Michelle Wie qualified for her first L.P.G.A. tour event when she was 12 but did not win her first tour title until she was 20. At 16, Tiger Woods had won two United States Junior Amateur championships, but he did not win his first PGA Tour event until he was 20.
History did not impress Thompson much. In her mind, this victory was long overdue. She thought she should have won this tournament two years ago, when she held a share of the lead after the first and second rounds.
If not then, Thompson fully expected to make history five months ago when she took a share of the lead into the final round of the Avnet L.P.G.A. Classic in Mobile, Ala., only to finish 19th.
“I just went into every tournament wanting to win,” Thompson said.
Upon finally realizing her lifelong dream with a tap-in par putt at No. 18 for a 17-under 271 at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Senator Course at Capitol Hill, Thompson held up her putter in triumph, then searched for her father, Scott, who has caddied for her since she turned pro last year at the age of 15.
He was wearing sunglasses to hide tears as he wrapped her in a hug. The applause from the fans ringing the hole as Thompson approached so moved her father that he said he told her to walk ahead so she would not be unnerved by his display of emotion.
The L.P.G.A. commissioner, Michael Whan, reiterated Sunday that Thompson would earn full member status only if she was among the leaders at the end of the qualifying tournament.