By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
We will see how the LPGA Meijer Give Tournament plays out today and there is an interesting leaderboard. Grace Kim has not won on the Tour yet, but she has a five shot lead. Lexi Thompson had a blast playing on Saturday, playing loose and with the swagger that made her a LPGA icon. Anna Nordqvist believes Blythefield CC reminds her of Sweden. Add a few others to the list and let’s see what they are saying.
The Key to their rounds could be found in the quotes.
The Day 4 Leaderboard
They Said It…
Grace Kim blew a five shot lead earlier this season going into day four. Her advice, watch a movie and take your mind off your round.
Grace Kim (1, -17) on she compared Inside Out 2 to her game on Saturday:
“I watched Inside Out 2. It was so good. It’s a very clever movie. I really kind of adapted that into my mind today. I had anger in there, a bit of happiness or joy in there. So highly recommend…it’s definitely good enough to watch again. If you’re, yeah, thinking about it, definitely give it a watch.” My take: She might buy the fans some popcorn to watch a movie if she can earn her first LPGA Tour Victory.
Lexi’s key to Sunday is to…. Have Fun
Lexi Thompson (T2, -12) on the proudest moment of her career:
“My proudest moment, I would say the two biggest are probably getting my first win at the Navistar LPGA Classic, and with my dad on the bag. As far as a special moment, to be able to get the first win under your belt it’s always a big process, a learning process, too. So it’s a great step to have. To have my dad by my side, it was a moment like no other. I think we were both crying. Besides that, probably winning my first major and jumping into Poppy’s Pond with my whole family. It’s a moment I always dreamed of, and happy that I was able to do that and share it with them.” My take: You see that big smile after Lexi won this tournament in 2015? Lexi had it on Day 3 in Grand Rapids, socializing with fans that love her. More of that and Lexi could win the entire enchilada.
Anna is Soaking in Grand Rapids
Anna Nordqvist (T2, -12) on feeding off the crowds in the group ahead of her on Saturday:
“Seeing the crowds — Lexi played in the group ahead of me today and that’s probably as much crowd as we’ve had this year. It’s amazing to see. And even yesterday I played in the morning and seemed to be a lot of people out here supporting us. But just trying to soak it in. She was doing well and you can kind of hear the crowds. It’s kind of like the moments we play for, and even though there weren’t cheering for me — or most of those — it’s just nice to see. It does bring a very special atmosphere. I think we’re very lucky we have such big support in the community here in Grand Rapids. I think that’s why me and a lot of other girls enjoy coming here so much.” My Take: Anna needs to focus on her game, feeding off the crowd and having a good feeling that reminds her of her native Sweden.
It comes down to wedges for Ryann
Ryann O’Toole (T2, -12) on what she’s been the difference this week in Grand Rapids:
“Really tried to focus this week on placement. Spent a lot of time last week on three quarter wedge shots with all my wedges, half shots, just really trying to dial in yardages. And then just really trying to pick specific targets. I think after [Palos Verdes] I just started pressing. I just felt like my game at PV was nowhere close to what it has been. In the last, you know, I feel like six weeks I’ve just been struggling and like I’m striking it better, putting better, game is better, but what’s going on. I think I was pressing and pressing to get myself back up there. This week was a little different approach, patient, and trying to pick better targets and give myself just opportunities and let the putts fall.” My take: Ryann needs a good start and solid wedge play. It will fuel her confidence.
The Par 5’s are Key for Allisen
Q. Did you know you could probably go low today or
still concerned about being in an afternoon round? I
know it’s a little harder in the afternoon.
ALLISEN CORPUZ: I think this course has a lot of
opportunities. I think the par-5s with the wind direction
today played a little more reachable, so actually got up to
the greenside on like four of them today.
And, yeah, I mean there is definitely a few tough holes. I
think just make par on those holes and always going to be
a few birdie opportunities. My Take: Corpuz will attack the par fives and will look to press advantages on the course.
Ewing knows every day is different
Knowing there is a lot of birdies out here, does that
make you just feel better about being a few shots back,
knowing this whole course can be super birdieable?
ALLY EWING: Yeah, I think so. You take — golf is so
different each day. Shot 9-under yesterday and then today
working hard to shoot 1-under.
So you just trust in everything you’ve done leading up to
this. I know I’m playing really good golf. Today just didn’t
really show it. My take: Ewing is looking to take advantage of opportunities on the course wherever she can.
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net
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