Frosting on the Cake for a Great Rookie Season

by Randy Roberts

Michael Thompson capped off a stellar 2011 by taking solo 3rd at the Thailand Golf Championship in Bangkok, Thailand and earning an additional $61,000.  Shooting a final round 70 (2 under par), he was one of only two players to play every round at 70 or better and I think he was first in bogey avoidance.

I remember his swing coach Susie Meyers once saying that it would be good for Michael to play on some of the other tours around the world in order to get experience on different types of golf courses and style of play.  He certainly got the most out of his trip to Thailand, coming away with a lot of experience that he can now hold in his back pocket.  Not only did he get to visit a part of the world he'd never been to, but he got to compete against some of the best players from the Asian and European Tours.  He got to play the final two rounds in the lead group along with all the added media attention that comes with that.  Not to mention he got to play alongside the world's (after this week) #2 golfer Lee Westwood.  It looked to me like he was much more relaxed compared to his prior experiences being in the final group.  From the TV coverage it appeared like he and his caddie were firing on all cylinders as a team, often discussing the best approach to take, and (according to the announcers) making sound golf decisions.  All in all, I think his performance in Thailand bodes well for the future as he continues to improve his game and prepares him for when he'll be in similar situations again  in 2012.

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