A short-term memory in sports is a must.
After falling short in a four-way playoff at last week’s Pelican Women’s Championship, Lexi Thompson has put the past behind her and launched into contention at the CME Group Tour Championship. The 11-time LPGA Tour champion carded a 4-under par 68 on Saturday to reach 12-under overall and sits in a share of seventh with 18 holes remaining at Tiburón Golf Club.
“It was an unfortunate loss, but I took the positives from it. I believe my game is in a good spot,” said Thompson, who won the 2018 season finale. “I played some amazing golf last week, made some great putts. I took it into this week and continued to work hard. If I let last week get to me, it'll just tumble into this week. I didn't want that to happen because I absolutely love it here [in Naples] and I embrace the moment of being here.”
No matter the flow of the final round, Thompson will keep the pedal to the metal and avoid looking at leaderboards. She’ll leave that duty to caddie Will Davidson, and any subtle hints he provides down the stretch.
“If I'm on a roll and feel like I'm close, I'll have him maybe look on 17 because that could be eagle-birdie opportunity [to finish],” Thompson said. “I would say it’s more of having him know where I'm at on the leaderboard and be like, ‘Let's just go for this pin or maybe not.’ Kind of code and not be so up front. I don't play any differently. I play aggressive golf and don't change my swing, or gameplan regardless.
“I'm just going to go out tomorrow and focus on my game and how I've been playing.”
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