Q. All right, here with Delray's own Lexi Thompson. Lexi, welcome to 2022. How are you feeling after your first two days here at Gainbridge LPGA?
LEXI THOMPSON: Thank you. Yeah, so far so good. We got pretty lucky with the weather these last few days. It's been good.
I know supposed to get a little cooler next day or two, but it's been great. Good way to start the season with a local game, so happy to be here.
Q. What's it like coming back to this area and, again, not only seeing the fans out here, but the community that supports you so well?
LEXI THOMPSON: It's amazing. Boca is such a big golf community. To have everybody out here supporting me, I mean, the crowds for Friday were unbelievable. To have all the autographs at the end. We want to grow the game and see all the fans out here. They make the sport.
So we're enjoying every bit of it.
Q. Gearing up for this tournament in particular, what are some of the things you remember from 2020 when we first visited Gainbridge? I tend to remember the helicopter ride that you took on the way back to practice rounds here. What do you remember about Boca Rio?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, honestly, just the community that gets behind this event, the golf course in general. The food is spectacular here. They do it right. Just a great venue for all of us. To have another Florida event, a lot of us are based in Florida, so it's easy for us.
Just to be able to come back, always happy to gain another event and keep one here in the States.
Q. How much of a challenge is it for you to compartmentalize four days when you're at home? I'm guessing friends and family, and then you've also got to have that tournament vibe that you have on the road. How does that all work out?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, of course I'm very close with my family. I go to their house basically ever day, so they're only about 15 minutes north of me. I hang out with them quite a bit.
Yeah, it's important to get your alone time, make sure you decompress. For me, I love being around my family and friends. It's weird going back home after a round. Definitely is. I'm like, This is just odd. I can make myself dinner in my kitchen. It's different.
But I'm definitely enjoying every bit of it.
Q. Lydia mentioned that her mom went to try to get hand warmers at the super market last night. They had already sold out. So what's your plan tomorrow when it gets into the 30s, or I guess on Sunday when it's really, really cold? How do you play in that weather?
LEXI THOMPSON: Wear as many layers as you can. For me, I don't like swinging in too many layers. Probably only have a shirt and a jacket on, maybe a beanie.
But I'll have the hand warmers going and probably put on a rain jacket in between shots. Just try to stay warm. There is nothing really else. Get the hand warmers going, keep the hands in the pockets, hope for the best. Hope for the best.
Q. Wondering, just one more, how motivating is it to play in a group like that when you have the leader, and I know you're close with them as well?
LEXI THOMPSON: Uh-huh.
Q. Nelly, top 25 crew right there. Does that help you a little bit to motivate you? Is there extra layer of motivation?
LEXI THOMPSON: Yeah, of course. You know, I've played with them both quite a bit. Just amazing players and great people in general. We have a good time out there. I didn't even realize Lydia was 9-, 10-under, whatever she was yesterday. Just kept on birdieing. I'm like, Oh, that's just another one.
Then I heard somebody say in the crowd, That's 9-under. I'm like, Whoa. Just great to be around them. We push each other to make birdies, hit good golf shots, and compliment each other, and just great to be alongside them.
Q. One more from me: This off-season did you prepare any differently as we embark on this 2022 season?
LEXI THOMPSON: I would say I worked extremely hard on my short game. Putting, I mean, I putted three hours a day at least. I have a putting green in my house, too. Did that every night.
Just worked extremely hard. Put in the hours in the gym as well. I didn't have too much off time in between playing in Shootout and now. I have a little bit more time off after next week.
So continue to work hard. I don't have really a time that I don't, so I just love the goals, love determination, and always striving to improve.
Q. Speaking of goals, any New Year's resolutions that you made for yourself this year?
LEXI THOMPSON: No, I feel like -- honestly, I feel like every day I always have a goal, so coming into the new year there wasn't one in particular. Obviously I want to play well and keep on improving, but just be more positive, enjoy myself more, and just realize life is a blessing.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports