Eleven-time LPGA Tour winner Lexi Thompson is now contending for her first LPGA Tour title since 2019 after firing a brilliant 7-under 65 in the third round of the Meijer LPGA Classic for Simply Give at Blythefield Country Club.
The 29-year-old caught fire on Moving Day in Belmont, Mich., carding a 7-under 29 on her first nine holes on Saturday, an excellent tear of golf that saw her make five birdies and an eagle in a six-hole stretch from No. 4 to No. 9.
That performance moved her to 12-under for the tournament, and even though she cooled off on the back nine, making one bogey on 14 and one birdie on 17 to ultimately post a 65, it was an impressive effort that took Thompson from T25 to T2 on the leaderboard with 18 holes to play.
Firing a 29 on nine holes isn’t something that happens super often in a professional golfer’s career, and for Thompson, today’s front nine will definitely be going down in her personal record book, a six-hole run that she isn’t likely to forget about any time soon.
“(That was) one of my best stretches I think I've had on the golf course,” said Thompson. “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.
“This is a golf course you know you have to come out and play aggressive and make lots of birdies. I came out feeling very comfortable, made a few good swings, and rolled in some putts. I got in a groove and tried to keep the pedal down as much as I could out there.”
Thompson announced at the U.S. Women’s Open a couple of weeks ago that she will retire from full-time professional golf at the conclusion of the 2024 season, making this week’s Meijer LPGA Classic her last time playing in the longstanding Michigan event. She has played in every edition of this tournament since its inception in 2014, winning the Meijer LPGA Classic in 2015 earning five additional top-10 results along with that victory.
While she’s currently five shots back of 54-hole leader Grace Kim and a monumental Sunday effort will be needed if she wants a shot at a 12th Tour title, Thompson is working hard to not get too far ahead of herself and is hoping to enjoy her final ride at an event that’s meant so much to her career throughout the years.
“It's a tournament that I've absolutely loved throughout my career,” Thompson said. “I think it's one of the spots that all of us players really enjoy coming back to. I don't know what position I'm at today, how many I'm behind for that matter. I'm just going to come out tomorrow and do my best, focus on my game and my mental approach for each and every shot. That's all I can do. Of course, I want to win, but there is a lot of golf, so I can just go out there, give it my all, and see where that takes me.”
And even if things don’t ultimately shake out in her favor, Thompson will have plenty of positive memories to take away from this week’s experience as she once again leans on the support of her fans to carry her through, no matter if she ends up hoisting the Meijer LPGA Classic trophy come Sunday afternoon or not.
“I've been trying to just be easier on myself, give myself grace,” said Thompson. “It's a new week with a new caddie with Mark (Wallington) on my bag. He's super positive, and I think that's what I need by my side. Even through the hard times. But I just enjoy coming back to this tournament and embracing the fans. They're amazing.
“Even if I haven't played well here some of the years, the fans are always the same. Always so supportive and loving.”
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