Moving Day produces players moving up and down, they said it and more
Opinion By Roy J. Akers– www.Sky View Sports.net (From Grand Rapids, Mich.)
4 Up and 3 Down at the Meijer LPGA Tournament
Lexi Thompson declared her intention to retire from the LPGA Tour after the 2024 season last month. The way she carved up Blythefield Country Club in Round Three may make her opponents wish she would take it easy on her on them before making her final exit later this year. But first, she has an entire leaderboard and Grace Kim, who has a five shot lead.
One Up
Lexi Thompson– played the front nine to a seven under 29 on moving day, enroute to a seven under par 65. This is good for a tie for second place. Thompson had par on the first three holes before carding five birdies and an eagle. Thompson played off the fans and was seen smiling for most of the round. Lexi comments on this later under “Lexi Said It.”
Two Up
Ally Ewing came into round three as the co-leader on cut day at -11. Players teeing off earlier passed her by but she fought her way back to a tie for the lead. Ewing has earned over 900K so far in 2024 on the strength of her US Open win. She is 9 for 9 in making cuts near the halfway point of the season She started her round with two birdies on the front nine and two birdies on the back along with three bogeys in her round of 71. She is in a five-way tie for second.
Three Up
Atthaya Thitikul took advantage of moving day, firing a 3 under par 69. Thitikul has powered her way into the LPGA conversation, earning all three of her top ten performances in three consecutive performances dating back to mid-May. Thitikul is 30th in Race to the Glove Points and is rising quickly up the various LPGA points lists. Thitikul is 13th in the LPGA money list with just over $650k made this season. Her two late bogeys tripped out her momentum and she is tied for 11th. She could have been in the final couple of groups. She needs to go LOW on Sunday.
Four Up
Grace Kim has made seven cuts in 11 tournaments in 2024. She has made $101,214 minus expenses in her sophomore year on the LPGA Tour. Kim keeps it fairly straight off the tee being in the top 20 percent of LPGA players hitting the fairway at nearly 80%. After carding a 68-65 to enter the day at 11 under, Kim worked her way to a tie for the lead and then pulled away to a five shot advantage. Grace was not happy with a five shot lead she had earlier in the season going into the final day she had and said she did a poor job the last time and she believes she has learned from it. Talking to me, Kim said this time her approach will be measured. “I think my strategy will be the same. I like to play aggressive appropriately. For instance, that last chip shot on 18, you know, I was just going to bump and run it. You know, you still got to hole it at times. So I went for the lobby and tried to hole it. Yeah, taking my chances like that, speaking to my caddie thoroughly and clearly enough. I guess have a clear mind into every shot. Yeah, just do me. “
Lexi Said It…
Roy J. Akers question to Lexi
Q-Lexi, you will really smiling out there on the back nine. You do not see that with most golfers. You sere having a tremendous amount of fun. When you are loose, is that when you play your best golf?
Lexi Thompson-“Yeah, I would say soo. Its something that I’ve definitely struggled with. Helps to be playing well with the front nine and everything. But I’ve been trying to just be easier on myself (and) give myself grace. “
One Down
Moriya Jutangarn had two birdies and six bogeys in a four over 76 on moving day. She made the cut and will a check. She is 57th in Race to the Globe points and 63rd in earnings this season with just over $187k. She has earned more than $7M in career earnings. She would like to jump start her season and making a cut is helpful for a player 138th in driving with 248 yards in distance off the tee.
Two Down
Brooke M. Henderson had high hopes going into day 3, but she went backwards after scoring to the tune of 67-69 -73. She was four over after 12 on Saturday before rebounding late in the round. Henderson remains the only two-time winner of this tournament. Henderson has cashed in 11 of 12 tournaments only getting cut at the US Open. Henderson has made over 800K in 2024 and the Meijer tournament will propel her into position toward the LPGA Tournament Championship in Naples in December.
Three Down
Celine Boutier finished moving day with a two over 74. Boutier came into the weekend a couple of low rounds from being in the final group. She has a 71-68-74 and has earned a check. Boutier has won six times on Tour including the Evian Championship in 2023, a LPGA major over Brooke M. Henderson. Boutier is 11th in money this year at just over $350K. Look for her to rebound moving forward.
The Final round of the tenth anniversary of the Meijer SImply Give Tournament concludes on Sunday.
For More https://meijerlpgaclassic.com/
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
