US veteran Lexi Thompson made a strong late charge at the Meijer LPGA Classic on Saturday, birdieing two of the last three holes to shoot a four-under 68. Her solid performance helped her join a six-way tie for the lead at 11-under 205 at Blythefield Country Club.
Thompson shares the top spot with Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, South Korea’s Choi Hye-jin, Denmark’s Nanna Koerstz Madsen, Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, and Paraguay’s Sofia Garcia. They hold a two-shot lead over Australia’s Karis Davidson, who shot a one-under 71 for 207. Another group of four players is close behind at 208.
This is another opportunity for Thompson to win a title she narrowly missed out on last year in a playoff. A victory would also be her first LPGA title since 2019, adding to her 11 career wins.
Thompson started the day just one shot behind the leaders. After an early bogey on the third hole, she bounced back with three straight birdies from the fourth through sixth holes. A bogey at nine was quickly followed by birdies at 10 and 11. Despite another bogey at 14, she finished strong with birdies on 16 and 18.
Choi, who shared the overnight lead with three others, had a steady round with three birdies and no bogeys in a three-under 69. She had a chance to take the solo lead with a six-foot birdie putt on the 18th but narrowly missed.
Ciganda also stayed in contention with a final birdie on 18, finishing her round at 69.
Sweden’s Sagstrom, who won the LPGA Match Play earlier this season, made a big move with two eagles and a birdie across three holes early on. Though she had some ups and downs with three birdies and three bogeys afterward, she still finished with a five-under 67, keeping her right in the hunt.
