Lexi Thompson admits she runs hot-and-cold with her putter, but Friday it was on fire.
Thompson sank a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole and was tied for the lead with Ai Miyazato of Japan after two rounds the ANA Inspiration, first LPGA Tour major of the year, at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif.
That putt completed a 4-under-par 68 for world No. 3 Thompson, who was even with Miyazato at 7-under 137 for 36 holes.
“Last week was bad, but I’m a lot more confident with my new putter,” said the long-hitting 21-year-old Thompson, who won at Mission Hills two years ago. “18 is one of the best holes out here and it was definitely a good feeling to hear the crowd cheer on that one.
“I definitely could have shot a few strokes lower, but I got away with some bad shots, too, and was able to save par. I have to keep that positive attitude going to the weekend.”
Miyazato, who has won nine times on the LPGA Tour but is trying to climb out of a four-year skid, shared the first-round lead at 67 and collected five birdies and three bogeys while posting a 70 in round two.
She was tied for the lead until making a bogey on the eighth hole, but bounced back with a two-putt birdie while finishing on No. 9 to regain a share of the top spot.
“You are going to make bogeys, and you have to bounce back from them, but not necessarily by making a birdie,” said Miyazato, who last won at the 2012 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
“You have to let it go and not really try to get a birdie, but let it happen naturally. That was good mental control and a nice way to finish.”
Lizette Salas, who lives not far away in Azusa and played at USC, carded a 67 and was one stroke back in a tie for third with top-ranked Lydia Ko (68) of New Zealand, Suzann Pettersen (67) of Norway, Sung Hyun Park (67) of South Korea, Lee-Ann Pace (70) of South Africa and In Gee Chun (69) of South Korea.
Salas enjoyed playing before the home crowd.
“They’re definitely a huge support, whether I’m playing poorly or whether I’m playing awesome,” Salas said of her large and vocal gallery of family and friends. “Just having them out here keeps the adrenaline going.”
Chun, the reigning U.S. Women’s Open champion, is playing for the first time since she sustained a back injury last month.
She was hurt when struck by a suitcase that was accidentally dropped down an escalator at Singapore Airport by the father of another South Korean golfer, Ha Na Jang.
Chun said she starting hitting balls again only six days before the tournament.
“During the time I had injury treatments back in Korea, I was so depressed, and I lost my appetite and motivation,” Chun said. “Once I got here, I began to get my motivation back.
“… I’m thankful for the fact that I’m playing again in a major on a big stage.”
Jang, who won the Coates Championship and the HSBC Women’s Champions earlier this year for her first LPGA victories, posted a 70 and was two strokes back in a tie for ninth with Michelle Wie (69), Minjee Lee (68) of Australia, Charley Hull (69) of England and Bo-Mee Lee (66) of South Korea.
Fourth-ranked Stacy Lewis, who won this tournament in 2011, shot 68 and was three shots behind in a tie for 14th with Amy Yang (71) of South Korea, Jodi Ewart Shadoff (68) of England, Ariya Jutanugarn (71) of Thailand, Catriona Matthew (72) of Scotland and Gerina Piller (71).
–Story courtesy of The Sports Xchange, TSX Golf Editor Tom LaMarre
