LPGA Tour Winner Defends Lexi Thompson Following Press Conference Controversy
Jessica Korda has leapt to the defence of her fellow American following criticism of her exchange with a reporter on Friday


America's Jessica Korda has leapt to the defence of former Solheim Cup teammate, Lexi Thompson, after she came under criticism following an awkward exchange with a reporter on Friday.
Thompson - playing alongside Lilia Vu - fell to a dramatic final-hole defeat against Leona Maguire and Georgia Hall after the American shanked her third shot on the 18th hole.
When asked about the shot in the press conference following the round, the 28-year-old initially refused to comment, with US captain Stacy Lewis labelling it a "terrible question." The response from Thompson drew criticism on social media, but the Solheim Cup star has been defended by her former teammate Korda.
So sad seeing golf media , yet again, shred Lexi. It’s easy writing about other people’s mistakes. It’sGolf, bad shots happen- give the girl a break. She grows the game more than anyone on tour… And she’s a great player!!September 23, 2023
Writing on X/Twitter, she said: "So sad seeing golf media, yet again, shred Lexi. It’s easy writing about other people’s mistakes. It’s Golf, bad shots happen - give the girl a break. She grows the game more than anyone on tour… And she’s a great player!!
"And before someone can come after me for this - comment if you’ve played under this kind of pressure. A shot like that makes your heart sink into your stomach. Put yourself in those shoes. Live, in front of thousands. Let me know how you’d feel."
Responding to another journalist, Korda added: "The media always waiting to rip on her. Unnecessary question for anyone. Better question is why are you coming on here to rip her some more? It’s easy being the one writing about it or judging from the outside. How about all the clutch putts and shots she hit in the matches?"
Korda, whose sister Nelly is competing for Team USA in the tournament, was not selected for this year's event after an injury-affected year. She last played in May at the Founders Cup and has since announced that she is pregnant with her first child.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Thompson entered the week - her sixth Solheim Cup - at Finca Cortesin in poor form after a disappointing year on the LPGA Tour. The Major champion had only made one cut since June, prior to the tournament, but demonstrated all her prowess and experience with a 2&1 win alongside Megan Khang against Swedish rookie duo, Linn Grant and Maja Stark, on Friday morning.
Despite defeat in Friday's afternoon session, Thompson bounced back on Saturday morning, winning 1UP with Khang against Anna Nordqvist and Maguire.

Ben joined Golf Monthly having completed his NCTJ in multimedia sports journalism at News Associates, London. He is now a freelance journalist who also works for The Independent, Metro, UEFA and Stats Perform.
-
Eyeline Golf Speed Trap 2.0 Training Aid Review
Can the Eyeline Golf Speed Trap 2.0 lead to more consistent ball striking? Gear equipment expert Sam De’Ath finds out
-
Watch The PGA Championship Round Two: TV Coverage, Live Streams, Start Time For Today's Play
How to watch The PGA Championship on Friday May 16, with all the information on live streams, TV broadcasts for Round Two at Quail Hollow.
-
LET Winner Among Nine Players Penalized For Slow Play During US Women's Open Qualifier
Aline Krauter was among nine players hit with a one-stroke penalty for slow play at a US Women's Open qualifier at Grey Oaks Country Club on Wednesday
-
Jeeno Thitikul Cruises To Fifth LPGA Tour Win At Mizuho Americas Open
The Thai star carded a bogey-free final round of 69 at Liberty National to ease to the title by four
-
Saudi PIF Pumps More Cash Into Women's Golf As Title Sponsor Of Revamped LET Series
The Saudi Public Investment Fund has strengthened its standing in women's golf by sponsoring the LET's newly formed Global Series of events
-
Former World No.1 Yani Tseng Books US Women's Open Return After Switching To Left-Handed Putting
The five-time Major winner emerged the winner of a playoff at the Arizona Country Club qualifier
-
Mizuho Americas Open Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda defends her title at the Liberty National tournament in New Jersey, where an identical sum to 2024 is on offer
-
Haeran Ryu Seals Wire-To-Wire Win In Black Desert Championship For Third LPGA Tour Title
The South Korean produced a dominant display in the final round to win by five over Esther Henseleit and Ruoning Yin
-
Tour Pro Self-Reports Two-Stroke Penalty At Black Desert Championship
Perrine Delacour self-reported her mistake, which took place on the 18th of her third round of the Black Desert Championship
-
Tour Pro Narrowly Misses Cut After Being Assessed Slow Play Penalty
Chisato Iwai was assessed a two-shot penalty for slow play during the second round of the Black Desert Championship, with it proving to be a pivotal factor as she missed the cut by two strokes