BELMONT, Mich. (AP) 鈥� Lexi Thompson birdied two of the final three holes Saturday in the Meijer LPGA Classic for a share of the third-round lead with five others in a bid to win for the first time in just over six years.
Thompson shot a 4-under 68, rebounding with birdies on Nos. 16 and 18 after driving into the water and making a bogey on the par-5 14th.
鈥淣ot my best ball-striking day,鈥� Thompson said.鈥� But I scrambled very well and stayed positive, patient, and that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 kind of all about.鈥�
At 11-under 205 at Blythefield County Club, she was tied with Nanna Koerstz Madsen (68), Madelene Sagstrom (67), Sofia Garcia (68), Hye-Jin Choi (69) and Carlota Ciganda (69). Thompson was back on top a year after losing a playoff to Lilia Vu on the tree-lined course.
鈥淓verybody is going to come out swinging,鈥� Thompson said. 鈥淕ood weather tomorrow, so I know birdies will have to be made and I鈥檒l have to go pin-seeking. I will hope for the best, go out there and embrace the opportunity, and really love on the fans.鈥�
The 30-year-old from Florida won the last of her 11 LPGA Tour titles in early June 2019 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. She's making her sixth start of the season in a part-time tour schedule, and also is set to play next week in the major KPMG Women鈥檚 PGA Championship in Texas.
Koerstz Madsen bogeyed the final two holes to lose a two-stroke lead.
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is in a five-way tie for 24th at 5 under, six shots back of the leaders. Alena Sharp of Hamilton is tied for 63rd at even par.
鈥淭he positive thing is now I feel what鈥檚 going on when I get a little nervous, so I can work on what I need to be focusing on tomorrow,鈥� Koerstz Madsen. 鈥淏ecause I鈥檓 definitely going to be nervous tomorrow.鈥�
Garcia had the lead at 13 under after 12 holes, then bogeyed the next three.
鈥淚鈥檓 happy I was able to get it back together,鈥� Garcia said. 鈥淢ade a really good chip out on 16. Was able to have a good finish.鈥�
Choi missed a five-foot birdie putt on 18 in the final group.
Sagstrom, the T-Mobile Match Play winner in Las Vegas in April, had an eagle-birdie-eagle burst on Nos. 4-6.
鈥淚 always try to attack the course,鈥� Sagstrom said." I think I do play quite aggressive. I think this course, it demands shots."
Karis Davidson was 9 under after a 71. Megan Khang (69) was another stroke back with Chanettee Wannasaen (69), Bronte Law (71) and Celine Boutier (72).
___
AP golf:
The Associated Press
