Lexi Thompson Dominates Dubai Ladies Masters, Youngest Winner Again

Youngest ever.

You might as well get used to hearing that about Lexi Thompson's triumphs in her professional golf career.

Ten weeks after earning a special exemption to play on the LPGA Tour full-time, Thompson won her second tournament of the year—a Ladies European Tour event, the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters—by four strokes.

Thompson was leading the final event of the 2011 Ladies European Tour season by a single stroke entering the final day of play, but she put her foot on the gas and never let up en route to the victory. A closing round of 67, complete with seven birdies, buried her competition as she became the youngest winner of a Ladies European Tour event.

OK, it's not like we didn't see this coming.

At 12 years old, she became the youngest golfer ever to qualify to play in the US Women's Open.

She turned pro at 15 years old.

Then, just three months ago, Thompson became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament—16 years, seven months, eight days—in capturing the Navistar LPGA Classic.

I guess there's nothing like making history before your career even gets off the ground.

The story reads like this.

Thompson asked the LPGA for a waiver on the rule that tour members must be at least 18 years old.

Wish granted.

But she had to earn her way onto the tour via Qualifying School, which anyone can tell you is no picnic. Unless you're Lexi Thompson.

She entered the first of three stages of Q-School in July and won by 10 strokes.

But after winning her first LPGA Tournament in September, the aforementioned Navistar Classic, she withdrew from Q-School and petitioned LPGA officials for membership based on that win.

Done deal.

Thompson has arrived, and you can be sure she will provide formidable competition for the likes of Yani Tseng, Suzann Pettersen and the rest of the best players in the world.

I knew there was something special about this young lady when I first watched her play at the 2010 US Women's Open at Oakmont, where she managed a top-10 finish.

How special?

Based on the series of events since then, I think Thompson is going to take over the LPGA Tour in 2012 and beyond.