"My dad was like, 'You want to go and try to qualify for this event?'"

Not to take anything away from the incredible 14-year-old Alexis Thompson, who shot a 7-under 65 to trail Janice Moody by one in the Navistar LPGA Classic, but this was odd:

Thompson made a late decision to travel to Alabama to attempt to qualify. Event officials canceled a Tuesday qualifier when enough spots opened up to add all qualifier participants. "My dad was like, 'You want to go and try to qualify for this event?'" Thompson said. "I was like, 'Yeah, sure, why not?'"

Not enough qualifiers for a sanctioned LPGA Tour event that includes Lorena and Michelle Wie in the field? I know it's Alabama, but still...

Comments

[Joey]

I saw that and scratched my head, too. I figured there would be dozens trying to make the field.

[Johnv]

I think the LPGA has closed qualifiers. Only non-exempt LPGA members, LPGA teaching pros and, I believe, 1 amateur per week. Still surprising that they had enough spots to not need to play at all.

[Scott]

So I wonder why Amanda Blumenherst did not get in the field.

She won the sectional qualifying in Rancho Mirage and then finished 5th at Danville.

http://www.golfweek.com/news/2009/sep/28/blumenherst-passed-over-exemption/

[blader]

I've seen studies that have proven planes fly just as fast over Alabama as they do over the much more important states on the east and west coasts, so it probably isn't that.

[Phil the Author]

Its about time that a naive teenager with unlimited potential won on the LPGA Tour! Oh wait, we're not talking about Michelle Wie...

[court]

There are a lot of players down in Florida at the Q-school sectional this week - Gwladys Nocera is leading after the third round. I'm sure a number of players had to skip the Navistar to play the Quali. Sure worked out well for Thompson.

[LPGAFAN]

LPGA members are exempted into the FINAL LPGA Qualifier I believe.

The sad fact is that the same LPGA players who are watching as the Tour loses tournaments left and right - could not bring themselves to go play in one more event this year to support the tournament and sponsors! Anyone who skipped this tournament should be prohibited from opening their mouth in the future about the lack of LPGA tournaments!

[KS]

Alabama? A mercilessly bulldozed cotton field? Robert Rulewich architecture? What's not to like?