• Tips Plus Video: Alexis Thompson's power-generating drill
At 5-foot-11, Thompson is long and strong. Her prodigious length--she bombed one 327 yards at the Kraft Nabisco last spring--is the product of keeping up with the boys, namely older brothers Nicholas (once a regular on the PGA Tour) and Curtis, who is headed to LSU on a golf scholarship. "I think my length comes from competing with my brothers, and trying to hit it as long as they do," Thompson says.Her quick rise in the game began in 2007 when she became the youngest player (12 years, four months) to compete in a U.S. Women's Open, breaking a record held by Morgan Pressel. It continued last year when she turned pro and earned enough money in five LPGA starts to achieve fully exempt status for 2011 if not for a technicality involving "official" earnings and the tour's age restriction of 18 (see Risk-Takers). She requested the right to 12 sponsor's exemptions (she's allowed six) but was denied by the tour.Thompson is working diligently on her game with Golf Digest Teaching Professional Jim McLean. "She has the will to be a great player and the drive to do what it takes to accomplish that goal," McLean says. "She hits powerful shots, from her short irons to her driver, and is working hard on upgrading her short shots. A lot of our time is spent on putting. She's learning fast with the short game. When she gets that, she'll be very tough to beat."Proof of her improved short game lies in shots like the 95-yard lob wedge she hit close for a birdie on the 72nd hole at last year's Evian Masters to tie for second.It appears it won't be long before Lexi starts shaking things up on the LPGA Tour. She just hopes it happens this year.--Pete McDaniel
Alexis has good posture, relaxed and ready to move.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
She makes a one-piece start, keeping her arm triangle intact.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Just halfway back here, but she has already made a full shoulder turn.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Check out that X Factor, or her big shoulder turn against a small hip turn.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Leveraging off the ground really well, with her hips clearing. Major power move.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
In this full extension, the clubhead is perfect: still below her hands.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Wonderful balance. She could hold that pose all day.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Change of direction: lower body leading and club dropping "in the slot."Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
She releases right to the target. I call it the "power line" release.Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
Swing analysis by Jim McLean, owner of Jim McLean Golf School, based at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.
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