Lexi Thompson fired an opening-round 6-under par 65, highlighted by a lights-out closing-nine, and leads the Kingsmill Championship by one shot.
Tied for second, and one back, is the threesome of Gerina Piller, Brittany Lincicome and Angel Yin, who all posted 5-under 66s at the Kingsmill Resort’s River Course.
How Lexi Did It
Thompson started slow, making the turn at even-par. But then the 22-year-old star caught fire, ripping off six birdies over the next seven holes, and then closed with two pars to post the best round of the day.
Lexi’s Scorecard
Quotable
“It’s just a tournament that I love to come back to. That always helps out, coming into the tournament that you want to play well in and you always look forward to coming to this venue, it helps out with the positive attitude. But I get to hit a lot of drivers and 3-woods which helps out a lot. It’s a ball-striking golf course.”
-Lexi Thompson, First Round Leader
Statistical Notes
- While no player hit all 18 greens in regulation, Lexi Thompson hit the most with 17
- Three players hit all 14 fairways – Mo Martin, Jane Park and Jenny Shin
- Thompson led the field with seven birdies in the first round, followed by Gerina Piller, Angel Yin, Sadena Parks and Madelene Sagstrom with six apiece
- Three players carded eagles on Thursday – Brooke Henderson (No. 15), Celine Herbin (No. 3) and Ally McDonald (No. 7)
- At 308 yards, Joanna Klatten led the field in first-round average drive distance, followed by Jessica Korda at 287 yards
Full Leaderboard
Through 18 holes
[table id=273 /]
Credit: LPGA Communications
