Thompson tied for Meijer Classic lead

BELMONT, Mich. — Lexi Thompson birdied six of the first eight holes and finished with a season-best 7-under 64 on Friday for a share of the Meijer LPGA Classic lead with Alison Lee and Lizette Salas.

The 20-year-old Thompson matched Lee and Salas at 9-under 133 at Blythefield Country Club. Lee, the 20-year-old former UCLA player in her first season on the tour, had a 66, and playing partner Salas, a former Southern California star, shot a 70.

Kris Tamulis closed with a bogey on the par-4 ninth to drop into a tie for fourth at 8 under with Gerina Piller, Jaye Marie Green, Wei-Ling Hsu and Q Baek. Tamulis shot 68, Piller 65, Baek 68, and Green and Hsu 69.

Top-ranked Inbee Park, a playoff loser last year in the inaugural event, was tied for 18th at 4-under after a 68. She has a tour-high three victories this season.

Thompson, winless since taking the then-Kraft Nabisco last year for her first major title, took advantage of early windless scoring conditions. Lee birdied six of her first 10 holes in her afternoon round.

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