NAPLES, Fla. – Lexi Thompson’s name is back atop a leaderboard.
Cristie Kerr wasn’t surprised to see it on the giant, wooden scoreboard along the 18th fairway as she finished her round late Friday afternoon at the CME Group Tour Championship.
“Lexi has been through a lot the last couple years, but she is mentally stronger than she thinks she is,” Kerr said.
With a 5-under-par 67, Thompson equaled the low round of the day to put herself in position to make a weekend run at winning an event that so painfully slipped away a year ago.
“If that happens,” Kerr said, “I’m sure it will be sweet.”
Thompson missed a 2-foot putt at the 72nd hole a year ago that would have put her in position to win and to seize the Rolex world No. 1 ranking for the first time. It would also have put her in position to claim the Rolex Player of the Year Award for the first time.
“I’m definitely having fun,” Thompson said on Friday. “This is definitely one of my favorite tournaments, because I can drive to it. I have so much family and friends here, and a lot of fans. It means the world to me to just come here to Naples and play in front of them.”
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Thompson lives on South Florida’s east coast, about two hours from Naples.
After two wins and six second-place finishes a year ago, she is winless this year. She’s looking to change that in the season finale, with Friday’s strong play setting her up as the player to beat on the weekend.
At 12 under overall, Thompson is leading an American charge, with the top five players on the board all from the United States.
Thompson is three shots ahead of Brittany Lincicome (71) and Amy Olson (72) and four ahead of Nelly Korda (67) and Marina Alex (67).
An American victory this week would be notable because it would tie the formidable South Koreans (9) for most by any nation on tour this year.
Though Thompson has slid from No. 2 in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings to No. 8 this season, she remains the highest ranked American in the world.
It has been awhile, however, since LPGA pros have seen Thompson’s name atop a leaderboard, since she grabbed a four-way share of the lead after the first round of the Honda LPGA Thailand nine months ago. She ended up tying for second.
After an emotional year of highs and lows in 2017, Thompson has cut back on her schedule through the second half of this season. She’s taking more time to be with family and friends and to work on other parts of her life.
She laughed trying to get through an interview after Friday’s round with her new puppy, Leo, licking her arms and sniffing TV microphones. It’s a Havapoo (half Havenese and half miniature poodle).
“He’s amazing,” Thompson said. “No matter what I shoot, this guy is giving me kisses, no matter what.”
Thompson, 23, looks in command of her game this week. She hit every green in regulation Friday and all but one fairway. She is the only player in the field who is bogey free.
“I’m very comfortable,” Thompson said. “Growing up in Florida, being on a Florida golf course, I’m comfortable. Being able to play in front of my family and friends, it brings that comfort in, off the golf course. It’s very relaxed.”
Having her brother, Curtis, on her bag as caddie helps, too.
“We always get along so well with each other,” Lexi said. “Not so much when we were younger, but now we have a great relationship, and we’re always making jokes with each other. Just keeping it relaxed out there, which is key.”
Thompson is seeking her 10th career LPGA title, to extend her streak of winning to six consecutive seasons. She was asked what a memorable finish would mean this week.
“It would mean the world to me, to play really well in front of family and friends,” Thompson said. “Two rounds down, two more to go. I’m just going to go out with the same attitude I had the last two days, take one shot at a time and be confident.”