Lexi Thompson, 16, is youngest winner of LPGA Tour event

Lexi Thompson, 16, became the youngest player to win an LPGA Tour event when she captured the victory at the Navistar LPGA Classic in Prattville, Ala., on Sunday.

Thompson, who is from Coral Springs, Fla., eclipsed the mark of Paula Creamer, who was 18 when she won her first event in 2005. Thompson clinched the victory at 17-under-par 271 with a 70 on Sunday and finished five shots ahead of Tiffany Joh.

"This has been my dream, like, my whole life," said Thompson, who has brothers playing on the PGA Tour and in college. "It's the best feeling ever."

Although she admitted to being nervous, Thompson said, "Once I hit the first tee shot I was like, 'OK, I'm good.' "

Thompson, who qualified for her first pro tournament at 12 and turned pro at 15, is in the process of attaining an LPGA Tour card. Her petition for qualifying school was granted this summer, and she won the first stage by 10 strokes in July. There are two more stages to go.

"We haven't really talked about that yet," said her father, Scott Thompson, who caddied for her. "We'll worry about that as it comes, so we'll see."

-- Dan Loumena

Photo: Lexi Thompson with the winner's trophy after her victory in the Navistar LPGA Classic on Sunday. Credit: Lloyd Gallman / Associated Press