RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – Lexi Thompson couldn’t be under a more intense spotlight this week at the ANA Inspiration, so why not a pairing with Michelle Wie?
Thompson and Wie, maybe the two biggest “needle movers” in the women’s game, will play together in the first two rounds of the year’s first major championship.
They will go off together at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday and again at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday. They will be within Golf Channel’s TV coverage both days (noon- 4 p.m., 7-9 p.m. ET).
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Thompson is the storyline this week as she bids to rebound and win the ANA a year after she was derailed with a four-shot penalty in the final round.
The pairing rekindles memories of their final-round matchup here four years ago, when Thompson outdueled Wie before huge galleries at Mission Hills to win her first and only major championship.
In another marquee pairing, U.S. Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster will play with European Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew. They’re off on the opposite nine as Thompson/Wie at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday and at 11:30 a.m. ET Friday.