Lexi Thompson was pretending to a major. That is why this time is different

How is this different for Lexi Thompson?

For a decade and a half, the LPGA superstar has been in the quarrel going to the last round of golf tournaments in a big time. She won this specific championship – then Kraft Nabisco, now Chevron – 11 years ago. There has been triumph and anger on many Sundays as, in regular events and large championships alike.

We did not necessarily think that we would see Thompson here when she announced a year ago that she was withdrawing from a full LPGA schedule. But that decision seemed to unlock something in Thompson; She finished the race just weeks after the announcement, recorded a Top 10 in the KPMG women’s PGA and won a captain’s choice over Solheim Cup’s winning team.

But this year’s “pension” has not been as retired as golf fans were waiting. Thompson reappeared at the founders’ Cup in February and ended T13; Now she has played her way in a tie for the sixth that goes to the last round of the first major Major of the year, the Chevron Championship.

So what is the difference between the half -retired Lexi and the full -time player?

“The biggest difference? More holidays, for sure,” she said after Friday’s round. “And not feeling bad about them. Yes, I mean, I have a lot of greater vacations between events than a normal player, but it’s beautiful. My 15th year. It is too much that I think well.”

It will not receive any argument from us there.

Thompson explained after the last Saturday round that there is still a lot of burnt fire inside. She was so grinded that she ever had on Monday until Wednesday in front of the tournament, she said. And she is eager to have an opportunity to win her second second.

“As I have told a lot of people, I am still practicing and training a lot when I am at home. It is just more that I have free time to be able to take free time when it is necessary,” she said. “Whenever I go out to play, I still want to win and have that competitive advantage. But it’s just nice to have the balance of life, too.”

Hard work is being repaid. Perhaps the balance of life is too. There seems to be something that releases for a public acceptance that golf is just part of her life going forward than all things.

“With me making the announcement knowing that I won’t play so much, I’m going out here, if I play well, that’s great; if you don’t, it’s just you continue and you go to another,” she said.

One way it manifests is in its patience, Thompson said; It began Bogey-Bogey on Saturday, but gathered to shoot a sub-parish result.

“Today with the beginning I could allow her to crumble and stay patient and positive,” she said. “Curtis (her brother and caddy) was by my side being positive with me. That was a great help.”

Here’s what else do you need to know by going for Sunday to Chevron:

management

Haeran Ryu of South Korea and Mao saigo of Japan are related to the superiority of 54 rounds at 9 under the par. Everyone is following their first major championship. Ryu said she feels the pressure to be closed from the outside as well as from the inside.

“But I think this is a good pressure for me because I don’t have a big trophy in my home, so this is a goal for my life and in golf,” she said. “Then I want to try to continue.”

Zamire

US Lindy Duncan will join Ryu and Saigo in that final group and start a blow again at 8 under the money; Her good friend Sarah Schmelzel Will be a group back and a shot back at 7 under.

“Of course the moment is big, but I don’t want to make it bigger than it is, and having that experience under my belt has finally made this week a little easier,” Schmelzel said, referring to a quarrel trip in 2024 kpmg.

Yan Liu, Schmelzel and Thompson will make up that penultimate group. But Thompson is far from the only player on 6 under; It is joined by a high -power group of Ruoning Yin, Carlota Ciganda, Ariya Jutanugarn AND Hye-yjin chi.

Four other players are in 5 under them, only four shots from the superiority.

World no. 1

Nelly cord made a Friday inspirational gathering to grow from 7 above all the way to 1 above, one inside the cut line. She started hot on Saturday as well, shooting three under her nine opening. But the back-back doubles to 3 and 4 (12th and 13th) all, but condemned her chances to defend her title; She is even going to Sunday, T31 and nine shots back.

You can find TV coverage and last round time here.