When Lexi Thompson burst onto the golf scene, she quickly earned the title of “prodigy,” and there’s no doubt she deserved it. She made her U.S. Women’s Open debut in 2007 at just 12 years old, becoming the youngest golfer to qualify for the major. Turning professional at 15 in 2010, she set a record as the youngest LPGA event winner at 16 by claiming the Navistar LPGA Classic. However, times have changed. The once-promising star hasn’t registered a single win since the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic. Now, Justin Thomas has some advice for her as she heads to Erin Hills.

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Like Lexi Thompson, the PGA Tour star struggled to find his footing on the golf course for nearly three years. He last won at the 2022 PGA Championship and faced a series of near finishes in the following years, only to fall short at the last moment. His search for a win finally ended when he secured victory at the 2025 RBC Heritage. Given the long wait and the final results, it’s no wonder his words matter now more than ever.

Currently present at The Memorial Tournament, Thomas shared his bit of advice for Lexi at Erin Hills. “Hit it as far as you can and high. I felt like — I was actually talking to Curtis Thompson a little, he’s caddieing for Lexi, and he texted me a couple weeks ago asking about it. He said the same thing, like any advice, and I’m like just, Tell Lexi to be Lexi. Like just send a driver. They’re big fairways, it was very, um-U.S. Open like, in my opinion, the golf course, just with how the fairways were so big and some of the greens were big. But it just was, you know, it was a totally different look and setup.” 

Justin Thomas also suggests that effectively using a driver is crucial at Erin Hills, as players who drive the ball well and achieve greater distances will gain a significant advantage. He highlights that longer hitters, like Lexi Thompson, could excel on this course and recommends seeking out players who can also generate more height with their irons to improve their chances of success. So, is that working out in Lexi Thompson’s favor? Lexi Thompson’s exceptional driving s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s come from her physical attributes, refined techniques, and strong mental approach. At 6 feet tall, her height and natural strength enable her to generate impressive clubhead speed and power in her explosive swing. She also excels at hitting a low-spin draw, maximizing roll on the fairway, and enhancing her distance.

However, she faces pressure following her performance at the 2024 U.S. Women’s Open, where she missed the cut—one of six missed cuts in 19 appearances that season. In 2025, Lexi Thompson participated in four tournaments, achieving a tie for 13th place at the Founders Cup and finishing tied for 14th at the Chevron Championship. This year, Thompson will make her 19th U.S. Women’s start, and the world will be keenly watching her. However, how does she achieve her “explosive” driving s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, something that might come in handy at Erin Hills?

How does Lexi Thompson achieve her best driving gameplay?

Lexi Thompson has long been recognized as one of the biggest names in women’s golf, currently averaging 267.89 yards off the tee with a drive accuracy percentage of 66.84%. This powerful driving ability will be particularly advantageous at Erin Hills, where the wide fairways allow for aggressive play. During a 2024 cover shoot at Panther National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, she shared her key strategies for approaching every tee shot. Thompson emphasizes the importance of a consistent pre-shot routine. She begins by selecting a small aim point in the distance, adhering to her mantra of “aim small, miss small.” On windy days, she advises choosing both a starting line and a finishing line to navigate the elements effectively—an approach that will be essential at Erin Hills, where wind conditions can significantly impact shot accuracy.

Next, Thompson visualizes the shot she wants to hit and takes one to two practice swings while keeping that image in mind. This process helps her establish a good feel for her tempo and swing, which will be crucial on the varied terrain of Erin Hills. She also prefers to choke down on the club slightly for better control at the top of her swing. As she approaches the shot, she takes a deep breath to ensure she remains relaxed while visualizing her intended shot and lines.

As she sets up for the shot, Thompson focuses on her aim again. She draws a line to her starting target with her clubface and takes another deep breath to maintain her tempo, hoping to send the ball down her intended line. This meticulous approach will enable her to navigate the challenges presented by Erin Hills’ layout.