Thompson one stroke off the lead at the Meijer LPGA Classic

Lexi Thompson in the Meijer LPGA Classic

BELMONT, Mich. – Lexi Thompson is once again in the mix at the Meijer LPGA Classic, a year after losing in a playoff at Blythefield Country Club. In her sixth appearance of the season, Thompson birdied three of the last four holes, finishing with a round of 69 strokes, 3 under par, and a total of 7 under par. The 2015 winner at Blythefield was one stroke behind leaders Karis Davidson, Carlota Ciganda, Hye-Jin Choi, and Celine Boutier.

The golf course is always in excellent condition for us, something we always expect. But the support the tournament receives and how Meijer gives back to the community is also important. It’s not just a tournament, it’s much more than that.

Lexi Thompson

Thompson, 30 years old and originally from Florida, won the last of her 11 titles on the LPGA Tour in 2019.

Some days are harder than others and we get frustrated, but at the end of the day, this is just golf.

Lexi Thompson

Davidson, who played in the second-to-last group, birdied the 16th and 18th holes, finishing with 70 strokes.

We really hung in there today. It was a bit tough, and it was good to get a couple of birdies at the end.

Karis Davidson

Ciganda and Choi recorded 67 strokes each, and Boutier had 68, all playing in the morning session.

Playing here the week before a major obviously gives you confidence to play the following week. The course is one that I like. I enjoy coming here, and it’s always fun to play in Grand Rapids.

Carlota Ciganda

Thompson was accompanied in 7 under par by Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Amanda Doherty (69), Bronte Law (69), Minjee Lee (70) and Sofia Garcia (71). Grace Kim, also part of last year’s tiebreaker, where Lilia Vu won, was at 6 under par after a round of 73. She had bogeys on two of her last three holes, falling out of the lead. Mi Hyang Lee, leader of the first round after a 64, had 75 strokes, falling to 5 under par. A few days before the major at the PGA Frisco, only three of the world’s top 10 are at Blythefield. Haeran Ryu, world number 5 and the highest-ranked player in the field, followed an initial 69 with a 74, making the cut at 1 under par. Vu didn’t make the cut, with rounds of 77 and 75.