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LPGA's Lexi Thompson skydives into golf event

By Alex Butler

May 17 (UPI) -- Golfer Lexi Thompson made a spectacular entrance Wednesday at the Kingsmill Championship in Williamsburg, Va.

The LPGA star made the jump onto the course with retired Navy SEALs and a member of the Red Bull Air Force. She performed the stunt to announce her partnership with the SEAL Legacy Foundation. Thompson is ranked No. 5 in the Women's World Golf Rankings.

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"Honored to announce my partnership with the SEAL Legacy Foundation by fulfilling a lifelong dream by skydiving into my Pro-Am with 4 Navy SEALs just in time to tee off with my group at the Kingsmill Championship! Check out this awesome footage of my jump," Thompson wrote on social media.

Ariya Jutanugarn won the 2016 Kingsmill Championship.

Thompson also announced the Lexi Legacy Challenge campaign. The campaign continues through Nov. 11 and raises funds and awareness in support of the SEAL Legacy Foundation, according to its website. She will wear a commemorative Foundation pin for the remainder of the LPGA Tour season. Donors who give $25 or more to the campaign will receiver the same pin.

"A dream come true is all I can say! Not only did I get to skydive, but I got to jump with NAVY SEALs, who are the most elite members of our military," Thompson told LPGA.com. "We all get to compete each week on the LPGA Tour because of the sacrifices of the SEALs and their families, so giving back is the least I can do."

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The tournament tees off Thursday in Williamsburg. Golf fans are in luck this weekend as 20 of the top 25 golfers in the Rolex Rankings plan to take part in the tournament. Thompson has more than $5.9 million in career earnings since joining the tour in 2012. She finished tied for 17th at the Volunteers of America Texas Shootout in April and claimed second place at March's ANA Inspiration.

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