Fan Favorite Lexi Thompson T2 Going into Final Round
By Tom Lang
GRAND RAPIDS – If anyone doubted that LPGA star Lexi Thompson is a fan favorite in west Michigan, it should have been confirmed Saturday in the third round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give.
Thompson scorched the front nine at Blythefield Country Club, shooting a 7-under 29 before playing even par on the back. Her fans followed along most of the day, encouraging her along the way to take another few stokes off her back nine scorecard.
Still, a third round 65 – three strokes off the tournament’s 18-hole record – was enough to get Thompson into a 5-player tie for second place, with everyone chasing Grace Kim come Sunday afternoon. Kim shot 65 on Friday and added a 66 Saturday to stand at 17-under par. Thompson is at minus-12, along with Anna Nordqvist, Alison Corpuz, Ally Ewing and Narin An.
“I would say definitely on the greens I feel like I was really pinpointing a spot on the greens that I wanted to roll it over and really visualizing my lines,” Thompson said. “Played solid the whole day. Maybe a few errant shots on the back nine, but that's going to happen. It's kind of hard to keep a 7-under going through the first nine.
“This is a golf course you know you have to come out and play aggressive and make lots of birdies. Just came out feeling very comfortable, made a few good swings, and rolled in some putts. Just got in a groove and tried to keep the pedal down as much as I could out there.
“So tried my best and I had a lot of fun, especially with the fans out there.”
Ah, the fans.
Many LPGA players over the years have told me they feel like the Meijer LPGA Classic is a major on the schedule, mostly due to the atmosphere and the massive number of fans that come out to the event year after year. This is the 10th playing of the tournament.
“I think the fans are probably the best here,” said Thompson, who won the event in 2015 when she was 20 years old. “We get some amazing crowds and big crowds, which is great to see. But, yeah, when I was on my stretch, they were running to the next hole, that's for sure. It's just great to see everybody out here supporting women's golf.
“That's what we want, to grow the game, and it's great to see multiple people out here.”
Nordqvist shared a similar observation.
“Lexi played in the group ahead of me today and that's probably as much crowd as we've had this year,” Nordqvist said. “It's amazing to see. And even (Friday) I played in the morning and seemed to be a lot of people out here supporting us.
“She was doing well, and you can kind of hear the crowds. It's kind of like the moments we play for, and even though there weren't cheering for me -- or most of those -- it's just nice to see. It does bring a very special atmosphere.
“I think we're very lucky we have such big support in the community here in Grand Rapids. I think that's why me and a lot of other girls enjoy coming here so much.”
Thompson was asked where she would rank her front nine performance Saturday.
“Definitely up there,” she replied. “One of my best stretches I think I've had on the golf course. Just the golf is one thing, but just how I felt out there, very comfortable and relaxed, just enjoyed being out there.
“I think that's what this week really brings, just the atmosphere, and I think we all do enjoy coming back and playing here in Grand Rapids.”
Like most years, the final round at the Meijer LPGA Classic is played on Father’s Day, and fathers get in free, as do youth under age 17. Go make it a great day of family and golf memories.
