LEXI THOMPSON THREE AHEAD IN KINGSMILLS CHAMPIONSHIP

'A little bit more drive' keeping Lexi out front   

By Randall Mell

GOLF WEEKLY

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia – Lexi Thompson is a little more motivated now.

After Saturday's round at the LPGA Tour's Kingsmill Championship, she conceded there's a little extra purpose in her play.

She showed it coming home after a sluggish start, finishing strongly to hold off a hard challenge from In Gee Chun.

On a breezy day, with conditions tougher than players have faced all week, Thompson shot a 2-under-par 69, preserving her chance at a wire-to-wire victory.

At 14-under overall, Thompson is three shots ahead of Chun (67) and five ahead of Lydia Ko (70), Sei Young Kim (66) and Minjee Lee (67).

After that controversial loss at the ANA Inspiration last month, there were questions about how Thompson would rebound, whether she would keep her confidence and momentum going. She's been delivering all the right answers at Kingsmill, where she has been a ball-striking force while showing just how much her short game and putting have improved with all the offseason work she put into them.

"I'm as determined as any other person out here," Thompson said. "We all want to win. I have a little bit more drive now, I would say, but I'm just going to go out there and be confident and see where it goes."

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Thompson is looking for her eighth LPGA title, her first since winning the Honda LPGA Thailand almost 15 months ago.

Thompson was asked if she's seeking redemption after the disappointment endured in the year's first major.

"I've always been such a driven person that every time I tee it up I want to win," Thompson said. "I love this golf course and this venue, so I always feel comfortable coming here."

Thompson started Saturday's round with a parade of pars, while Chun made a strong early move. With birdies at the fifth, sixth and seventh holes, Chun moved within a shot of Thompson.

At the ninth, Chun missed a 5-foot birdie putt that would have tied her with Thompson.

"Today was tough because the wind was from a different direction," Chun said.

Thompson birdied the ninth, 13th and 15th holes and built a four-shot lead when Chun missed an 18-inch putt at the 17th hole.

At the 15th, Thompson showed just what a power advantage she has here. She hit a nearly 300-yard drive, then striped a 6-iron from 196 yards to 20 feet. She two-putted for birdie.

"All I'm focusing on is my own game and sticking to my routine and committing to my lines off the tees and just having fun with my caddie in between shots," Thompson said.

It's looking like a tough game plan to beat.

THIRD-ROUND LEADERBOARD

par 213 (3x71)

199 Lexi Thompson (USA) 65 65 69

203 In Gee Chun (S Korea) 69 66 67

204 Sei Young Kim (S Korea) 69 69 66, Minjee Lee (Australia) 68 69 67, Lydia Ko (NZ) 67 67 70

SELECTED SCORES

210 Bronte Law (England) 71 68 71, Suzann Pettersen (Norway) 69 70 71 (T28)

214 Holly Clyburn (England) 72 69 73 (T63).

MISSED THE CUT (142 and better qualified0

144 Mel Reid (England) 73 71.

147 Stephanie Meadow (N Ireland) 75 72, Becky Morgan (Wales) 74 73

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

Leaderboard | LPGA | Ladies Professional Golf Association