After an hour delay due to storms in the area, Lexi Thompson said she wasn’t too loose on her first iron shot, but that didn’t seem to slow her down.
Thompson sits atop a packed leaderboard at 12-under par and holds the 36-hole lead at the Kingsmill Championship Presented by JTBC. Thompson leads fellow American Gerina Piller by three-strokes and has a group of pursuers within five shots of the lead.
Thompson is looking pick up her first win of the 2017 season. She carded six birdies on the day to finish at 6-under, hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation.
“Yeah, I feel great with where my game is at. 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,” explained Thompson. “If I do that, my game is in a good spot.”
This course certainly suits Thompson's eye - she's 22-under in her last six rounds on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort.
“You know, it's just a good golf course for me. I get to hit a lot of drivers, actually, a lot of 3-woods out here as well,” said Thompson. “I just love the shape of the golf course. It's in perfect shape for us once again this year. Probably best I've seen it.”
Another solid day for Piller, who carded a 4-under, 67, to sit three shots off the lead
“Yeah, again, the game feels really solid. Made some putts early and just couldn't get up and down the last couple. But the chip-in was nice, so the game feels good,” said Piller. “Feel like my putting is really great right now. Just excited for tomorrow.”
No adjustment for Piller as she heads to the weekend, she said she plans to keep it simple and stick to her game plan, “hit the fairway, hit the green, make the putt.”
World No. 1 Lydia Ko and Candie Kung sit four back of Thompson at 8-under par.
Ko said she likes the position she’s in heading into the weekend.
“Obviously wish I could be a little bit better. You can say that with any round,” said Ko. “The afternoon field is still -- they still have 18 holes to go. There is a lot of golf to be played. All I need to do is focus on my game and be excited for the weekend.”
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