Somi Lee Shines with Outstanding Leadership at the CME Group Tour Championship
South Korean golfer Somi Lee has started on the right foot at the CME Group Tour Championship, achieving an impressive round of 8 under par, with a score of 64, which gives her a two-stroke lead in the quest for a $4 million prize. Lee, who decided to change her putting grip, proved that the decision was correct. Her game stood out especially on the 17th hole, a par 5, where an eagle was key to distancing herself from her competitors. Although a bogey on the last hole somewhat tarnished her performance, her excellent play positioned her at the top. Allisen Corpuz, former U.S. Women’s Open champion, is two strokes behind Lee. Jeeno Thitikul, the world number one and favorite for LPGA Player of the Year, signed a card of 67 strokes, with six birdies, tying with three other players. Thitikul, winner of the Tour Championship last year, will seek to maintain her position in the Player of the Year ranking, unless Miyu Yamashita, from Japan, is crowned in this tournament. Yamashita, with two victories this year, including the Women’s Open, had a less brilliant day, with two bogeys and a start with 70 strokes. Nelly Korda, after a year without victories following seven titles the previous year, missed a 3-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, closing with a round of 71. Somi Lee, one of the 29 players who won this year on the LPGA, noticed that her game was affected by her putting performance. Inspired by Lydia Ko, the most recent inductee into the LPGA Hall of Fame, she decided to adopt a new grip.After testing it last week and making some adjustments, Lee demonstrated its effectiveness at the Tour Championship, with only 27 putts in the round. In the tournament, which brings together the 60 best golfers of the season, the top prize is $4 million, the highest in women’s golf, out of a total of $11 million in prizes.“I just followed Lydia Ko’s putter grip because she’s a good player and I thought, ‘Why not follow a good player’s grip?’ It worked really well,” Lee said.
Somi Lee
Thitikul shares third place with Jin Hee Im, Nasa Hataoka, and Sei-young Kim. Grace Kim (Evian Championship) and Minjee Lee (Women’s PGA), both major champions, are in the group with 68 strokes.“I know we are playing for a $4 million check, but for me I think it’s almost a bonus in this kind of year to be able to play here,” Thitikul commented.
Jeeno Thitikul
