Thompson shoots 74 in first round at Kraft

Alexis Thompson, 15, shot 74 Thursday at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – Alexis Thompson, 15, comes to LPGA majors expecting to win. Her opening 2-over 74 wasn’t what she hoped for, citing putting as her main trouble spot. Meanwhile, Thompson’s older brother, Nicholas, opened with a 3-under 69 at the PGA Tour’s Shell Houston Open.

Reader poll

Who will be low amateur at the Kraft?

Cydney Clanton 30%
Jennifer Johnson 5%
Kimberly Kim 5%
Jessica Korda 5%
Candace Schepperle 3%
Jennifer Song 18%
Alexis Thompson 34%

429 total votes.

Thompson looks considerably stronger than the last time I saw her in January at the South Atlantic Amateur. She now stands 5-foot-10, and has spent considerable time in the weight room.

Because she was swinging too hard in an effort to gain yardage, Thompson wrote the word “tempo” on her glove for Thursday’s round.

“I found out the smoother I swing the farther it goes,” she said.

She’s being vague about plans to turn professional after the Curtis Cup, saying, “We’re not too sure yet.”

One thing is certain: Thompson has her work cut out this week to even be low amateur. Both Jennifer Song (71) and Jennifer Johnson (72) posted lower first-round scores.