Thompson tied for lead at Meijer Classic
Defending champion Lexi Thompson holds a share of the lead at the Meijer LPGA Classic after shooting a six-under par 65 in the opening round.
Newly crowned women’s PGA champion Brooke Henderson, world number one Lydia Ko and the tour’s form player Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand lie two shots back on 67.
Thompson, 21, got off to a slow start at Blythefield, parring her first nine holes before bagging an eagle and four birdies on the way home.
The number-four ranked Thompson is tied for the lead with a group of players including Korea’s Sei Young Kim, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, South Africa’s Paula Reto and 52-year old Laura Davies of England.
"I had a slow start for my first nine there on the back, but hit it very well and then got on a birdie run there on my second nine," said Thompson. "It's definitely playing a little bit softer, so the greens are more receptive than last year. It was a lot firmer last year. The course was playing tough at one point because it got pretty windy."
Henderson, who won last week’s PGA championship, shot five birdies and a bogey for a 67 to tie with Ko, who she beat in a playoff in Washington.
"Four under, I'll take it,” said the 18-year old Canadian. “Only two back from the lead right now, the leaderboard's pretty crowded with the top names and a ton of really good scores. I'm excited for the rest."
Thompson, who has seven LPGA title, said she had worked from the memory of last year’s successful final round.
"A lot of great memories. I just replayed a lot of the shots I hit basically the last round. I remembered a lot. There was actually a lot of Sunday pins from last year today," she said
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