Thompson extends lead to three at Kingsmill

VIRGINIA: Lexi Thompson extended her lead to three shots on Friday at the LPGA Kingsmill Championship after posting a second straight six-under-par 65 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

At 12-under 130 after two rounds, Thompson was halfway to her first win of the 2017 season. Playing partner and fellow American Gerina Piller was alone in second after a 67.

Four shots behind Thompson at 134 were New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the world number one, who carded a 67, and American Candie Kung, whose 66 in the second round included an eagle on the par-4 sixth hole.

Five back are Chung In-Gee (66) of South Korea and Vicky Hurst (67).

Thompson and the rest of the field endured a rain delay, but the long-hitting American was stellar with six birdies and no bogeys while hitting 16 of 18 greens in regulation on the River Course at Kingsmill Resort.

“It’s just a good golf course for me,” she said. “I get to hit a lot of drivers, actually, a lot of 3-woods out here as well. I just love the shape of the golf course. It’s in perfect shape for us once again this year.”

Thompson is playing in her third event since she lost the first major of the year, the ANA Inspiration, in a playoff after a television viewer called in a rules violation and she was assessed a penalty.

“I feel great with where my game is at,” she said.