Lexi Thompson’s Shocking Solheim Cup Shank Left Even the Announcers Speechless

Thompson’s 18th hole mishap stunned Solheim Cup viewers.

There are shanks, and then there are shanks on the 18th hole of a Solheim Cup four-ball match. On Friday evening at Finca Cortesin, fans might have been better off covering their eyes than watching Lexi Thompson’s chip shot on the closing par-5. 

From a nasty side-hill lie in the rough, Thompson had a look at a hole-out for eagle to win the match. An up-and-down would secure the half point for her and her U.S. team partner, Lilia Vu. Leona Maguire—teamed up with England’s Georgia Hall—had holed out for the birdie moments earlier, and all eyes were on the American veteran. 

What happened next was nothing short of shocking. Thompson’s chip shot veered directly to the right off her clubface, nearly hitting her own playing partner and caddie. 

The 28-year-old looked down at the ground in disbelief, a feeling also shared by the Golf Channel announcers calling the action. 

“I’m not even sure I can comment,” said Juli Inkster, a 31-time winner on the LPGA Tour. 

Oh no Lexi Thompson #SolheimCup2023 pic.twitter.com/PQedImdbJO

— Brendan (@McHugh) September 22, 2023

Thompson’s ball went tumbling down the slope of the elevated green, leaving her one last shot at holing out to tie the match. After composing herself, Thompson stuck her next chip to just a few feet, but the result was essentially decided. When Vu’s lag putt for the half-point skirted by the hole, Maguire and Hall officially secured the full point for Team Europe.

Inkster wasn’t able to vocalize her reaction to Thompson’s shot, but social media had no issues. 

X (formerly Twitter) lit up with comments.

Golf, man. One minute you're driving the green from over 300 yards and the next you're shanking a chip and feeling like you're standing there naked in front of the world.

— Beth Ann Nichols (@GolfweekNichols) September 22, 2023

Still buzzing half an hour later from that momentum shift on 18 after the Leona chip-in/Lexi shank. Astonishing! https://t.co/Rqt4h0NKMO

— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) September 22, 2023

"I'm not even sure I can comment." - Juli Inkster after that Lexi shank ☠️

— Meg Adkins (@megadkins_TFE) September 22, 2023

Oh my word. Leona Maguire chips in for birdie on 18 and Lexi Thompson, with an eagle chip to win the match, absolutely shanks it !!!!

— Phil Casey (@pcaseysafc) September 22, 2023

Wow. Lexi Thompson with a shank chip on 18 after Maguire’s chip in for birdie. Could that be a turning point for Team Europe? #SolheimCup2023

— James Chan (@JamesChuChan) September 22, 2023

Thompson played in the Friday morning matches as well, alongside Megan Khang. The pair secured a full point for the U.S. team to contribute to the early American sweep. Saturday’s sessions begin at 2 a.m. ET on Golf Channel.