Thompson putting with eyes closed

With six LPGA Tour victories and a major title to her name at just 21, Lexi Thompson has a game that many would envy. However, her putting is one area that has held her back slightly in the past, and in attempt to remedy this, she's adopted a rather unique putting style…
Thompson finished 37th on Tour in putts per greens in regulation and 114th in putting average last year. For a player ranked fourth in the world, those aren't great stats – and Thompson knows it.
In an effort to improve her putting she began practicing putting with her eyes closed during the final event of the 2015 season. The American has now decided to implement her new technique in tournaments, and it helped her to a tie for 17th at the season-opening Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic.
“I basically just feel it in my stroke and take a deep breath,” Thompson told Golfweek of her new approach.
Speaking to reporters after her opening round of 69 at the Coates Golf Championship, Thompson added: “It feels like I’m burning a hole through the golf ball with my eyes sometimes.”
Thompson is not the first golfer on the LPGA Tour to putt with her eyes closed, Suzann Pettersen did so early in her career, while on the men's circuit former world number one Vijay Singh did so. The Fijian believed that closing his eyes gave him more freedom and allowed him to relax.
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
Lucas Glover edges past Patrick Cantlay to claim back-to-back Tour wins
Glover, 43, ultimately claimed victory with a par on the 18th hole playoff after Cantlay found water off the tee.
-
Lilia Vu wins second major as Charley Hull comes up short despite stunning eagle
American Vu added the Women’s Open title to her Chevron Championship.
-
Lucas Glover holds onto lead in Memphis with Tommy Fleetwood two strokes behind
Glover said it was a scrappy day but he got ‘a lot out of’ what he had.
-
Charley Hull shares lead with Lilia Vu heading into final day of Women’s Open
The pair are nine under for the tournament.
-
On This Day in 2007 – Tiger Woods claims 13th major with victory in Oklahoma
The world number one successfully defended his US PGA Championship title.
-
Ally Ewing out to emulate Brian Harman with Open win
The pair share their southern roots, passion for hunting and college teams named the Bulldogs.
-
Ally Ewing storms clear during second round of AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath
At 10 under par Ewing enjoyed a five-shot lead over compatriot Andrea Lee and Japan’s Minami Katsu.
-
Jordan Spieth leads by one after first round of FedEx St Jude Championship
England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are the best of the British contingent, closing out Thursday on four under par.
-
Rory McIlroy delighted with Tiger Woods’ role on PGA Tour’s policy board
Woods, 47, has not played since withdrawing from April’s Masters and concedes his playing opportunities will be extremely limited going forward.