Thompson motors to lead at Indy LPGA event

Lexi Thompson shot a 9-under 63 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead over Sandra Gal and Kris Tamulis in the LPGA Tour’s inaugural Indy Women in Tech Championship.

Thompson had 11 birdies and two bogeys to fall a stroke short of the Brickyard Crossing record set by Mike McCullough in the PGA Tour Champions’ 1999 Comfort Classic.

“It was quite the early morning, so it was a bit cold on the range and struggled a bit on the range, but I just hit a few good drivers at the end,” Thompson said. “I just committed to one thing going into the round and I think that’s what made my day a lot easier on me. I just stuck to my routine and committed to my golf shots.”

Gal, like Thompson, started her morning round on the back nine that features four holes inside the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gal hit 12 of 14 fairways in regulation in her bogey-free round.

“It’s cool, it’s funky. I really do like the course,” Gal said. “I think it has really good challenges off the tee and the greens, and it’s cool being inside the track.”

Lydia Ko was two shots back at 65 along with Moriya Jutanugarn.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was the top Canadian with a 67, which put her in a 10-way tie for ninth place.

“It’s so different than every other golf course that we get to play,” Henderson said. “It’s in amazing condition and it really makes you think all the way around, which I think is good for my game.”

Hamilton’s Alena Sharp finished with a 70, while Augusta James of Bath, Ont., fired a 72, and Calgary’s Jennifer Ha and Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., both carded 73s.

The 54-hole event ends Saturday.