DOW GREAT LAKES BAY INVITATIONAL

July 13, 2021

Lexi Thompson

Midland Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, Lexi, let's talk through this partnership this week at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, playing with Nasa. She's an amazing player and so nice. Always smiling and saying hi. We have wanted to play with each other I think ever since this event happened last year. We've been like, All right, we're playing with each other next time we play.

So she's obviously a great player. It will be so much fun to be paired up with her this week. Obviously coming off a win, so it will be great to just be by her side.

Q. I was going to say, did you see her, anything about the victory? Were you coming back from London?

LEXI THOMPSON: I was coming back from London so I didn't see any of it. I mean, I know it got rained out on Sunday unfortunately, but it's such a great event and obviously she's playing some great golf. Ever since the U.S. Women's Open she's been playing amazing.

I think all of us know out here her potential.

Q. What went into the partnership? I think Greg had a little bit of an influence there as well.

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, I've used Greg as a caddie for a few years and we've become just really close friends. Jack and Greg are very close as well.

So overall it's just great friendships to have. And to be able to come out here, play in this great format, I think it's a good change of things.

Q. What do you think your strength will be in this format with her?

LEXI THOMPSON: She hits it far, so it'll just be the determination of the matching up with alternate shot. Best ball I can obviously take a little bit more advantage on few of the reachable par-5s or some drivable par-4s.

So I can have her go first, get a layup up there, and then I can go take driver and play aggressively. Just really matching up the games. We've really thought about alternate shot because that's really what it comes down to, and seeing who is going to putt more, who is going to hit more iron shots, and really getting that matchup correctly.

Q. And you've really been improving, just keep on getting better. With the Olympics just around the corner, how much is that on your mind as we continue this onslaught of events?

LEXI THOMPSON: It's very on my mind. Coming into the year the Olympics was the number one with goal to be on that team. It's a huge honor just to be able to go over there. It will be very strict, but at the same time, I've been working hard on my game and just wanting to see improvements on and off the golf course, mentally, physically, and I'm seeing those improvements slowly.

I'm just really looking forward to going over that week and testing my game out.

Q. When did it really sink in for you that you would be going to the Olympics?

LEXI THOMPSON: Probably when I got the phone call, you know, that I was qualified to make it on that team. It just gave me chills. Like I said, that was my number one goal going into the year, and I busted my butt on the practice facilities to get that locked up. You know, my finish at the Open obviously helped out tremendously. Took a lot of pressure off the next few events.

But it's dream come true. I mean, golf not being in the Olympics for so long, I never grew up saying, oh, I want to be an Olympian.

Yeah, now that I can, it's like an unbelievable feeling.

Q. Who gave the call? Is it like Team USA?

LEXI THOMPSON: Andy -- I have it right here. Andy Levinson with USA Golf.

Q. Nice.

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, so he texted me first and he's like, I just want to talk to you about the Olympic team. I'm like, I'm calling you. I want to hear it and just let it all set in.

So it's amazing phone call to have.

Q. And it's going to be a ride. I know it's going to be different without the fans and everything like that.

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, very.

Q. But how excited are you for just being able to still experience it on the other side of the world?

LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, of course. I mean, yeah, you have a few people that have denied going, but for me, it was never a doubt.

You know, if you can say that you're going to the Olympics and representing your country, I don't care what's going on, I'm going. It'll be a bit different. I don't know if fans are allowed. If they are, might be just people that live there.

But it'll definitely be different, but at the same time, it's the Olympics. You got to go represent your country as best you can.