While Lexi Thompson and Stacy Lewis are currently in a battle for the title of top-ranked American, the two were teammates on Monday in Los Angeles. Currently ranked Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, Thompson and Lewis spent the entire day making the rounds at the media summit ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. The duo met with various media outlets, some individually and others together, including a meeting with Sports Illustrated who photographed the pair in patriotic apparel.
“It was a really cool first glimpse to being part of Team USA. It put things in perspective how much exposure we are going to get leading up to Rio and throughout the Games,” Lewis said. “I’ve done a lot of media and publicity opportunities but have never been a part of something like that.”
The summit was also an opportunity for Thompson and Lewis to get to know their fellow Olympians, a unique experience for golfers who are only now eligible to compete due to golf's return to the Games for the first time since 1904. Thompson shared on social media photos with gymnasts Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, who won two gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.
“It was definitely nice to get a chance to meet some of the other athletes. It’s always neat to talk to the very best in their respective fields,” said Lewis. “I came away from it amazed at the scale of what will happen this summer.”
At their current standings in the Rolex Women’s World Golf rankings, both Thompson and Lewis will represent Team U.S.A. in Rio, with No.14 Cristie Kerr as the third to represent the United States. Americans in the top-15 in the rankings will qualify, with no more than four athletes representing the United States. The field will be finalized July 11, 2016.
Click here for the current standings.
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