Three-stroke Kingsmill lead for Thompson
Ariya nine behind leader and five off rival Ko
>> WILLIAMSBURG: Lexi Thompson shot her second straight six-underpar 65 on Friday to take a three-shot lead over playing partner Gerina Piller into the weekend at the Kingsmill Championship.
Thompson is playing her third tournament since losing the major ANA Inspiration in a play-off after being penalised four strokes for a rules violation that a TV viewer spotted.
“I feel great with where my game is at,” Thompson said. “I am just trying to keep my thoughts very simple, focus on doing my routine and picking small targets out and committing to my shots. If I do that, my game is in a good spot.”
Piller shot a 67, closing birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey. Winless on the LPGA Tour, she chipped in for her birdie on 17.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was four strokes back at eight under after a bogey-free 67. Trying to hold off Ryu So-Yeon and Ariya Jutanugarn for the No.1 spot, Ko is winless since July.
“There is a lot of golf to be played,” Ko said. “All I need to do is focus on my game and be excited for the weekend.’’
Candie Kung joined Ko at eight under. Kung eagled the par-four sixth in a 66.
World No.3 Ariya, playing in the group with Thompson and Piller, moved up to three-under 139 after a 67.
The defending champion from Thailand collected six birdies from Nos.4, 6,7, 9, 14 and 15 while conceding two bogeys at Nos.12 and 18.
World No.2 Ryu So-Yeon of South Korea, the ANA winner, was five under after a 67.
Thompson had six birdies in a bogey-free round on Kingsmill’s River Course. She waited out a rain delay in the middle of the round.
“Always stalls you a bit,” Thompson said. “Wasn’t too loose on the first iron shot that I hit, but it was a beautiful day out. Not much wind. Hopefully, we get some good weather this weekend.”
Piller will play alongside US Solheim Cup teammate Thompson again in the third round.
“She’s a great ball-striker and hits it far,” Piller said. “This course definitely suits the long-ball hitters, especially now. The greens are firming up and getting a little quicker. To have a shorter iron in is definitely an advantage.”
Chun In-Gee (66) and Vicky Hurst (67) were seven under, and Angela Stanford (66), Shanshan Feng (67) and Brittany Lincicome (70) were another stroke back. Chun rebounded after an opening bogey on the par-four 10th.
“Walking to the [next] tee I said, ‘Forget it, start again’,” Chun said. “I tried to stay patient and made a lot of birdies.”
The South Korean player is one of five major champions in the top nine, joining Thompson, Ko, Feng and Lincicome.