From the Texas Heat to the Major Hunt: Lexi’s Back in the Game
Let’s be real — not many would’ve put their money on a semi-retired Lexi Thompson contending in the brutal heat of Texas at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. But here we are. At 30 years old and playing in only her seventh event this year, Thompson turned in a strong 2-under-par 70 in Friday’s second round — and yes, that put her right back into the conversation.
And you better believe it wasn’t some cakewalk. Friday’s round came on the heels of a grueling six-hour marathon on Thursday. Imagine wrapping up just before sunset, then teeing it back up in what felt like 100-degree weather the next day. Oh, and don’t forget the signature Texas wind — whipping across the Fields Ranch East course at PGA Frisco like it had a score to settle.
But that’s golf in Texas, baby.
Saving Pars Like a Boss
Thompson might’ve ended with a bogey on her final hole — the par-4 18th — but before that, she was as clean as it gets. In fact, she was bogey-free up until her final approach shot found a bunker right of the pin. Still, her overall round showed grit. It wasn’t just about birdies — though she had three — it was the gutsy saves that showed she’s not ready to fade quietly into semi-retirement.
Let’s run down a few highlight moments:
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On the 10th, after hitting her second into a bunker and leaving herself 43 feet away from the cup, she dropped in a slick right-to-left curler to keep her scorecard clean.
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At the 14th, a pesky little 5-foot putt decided to take a scenic 360-degree roll around the cup before finally falling — definitely one for the highlight reels.
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Her birdies included a sharp 11-footer, a confident 6½-foot strike, and a nearly 4-foot dagger that showcased her touch on the greens.
Par saves? Arguably more electric than the birdies.
Reclaiming Her Spot in the Spotlight
Let’s talk resume for a second. Thompson’s got one major win under her belt — the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship — but here’s something a lot of fans forget: since 2013, nobody’s had more top-5 finishes in majors than her. Thirteen, to be exact. That’s not a fluke; that’s consistency at the highest level.
Sure, she missed the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open just three weeks ago. But don’t let that fool you. Just last week, she was breathing down the neck of the leaders at the Meijer LPGA Classic and walked away with a T-4 finish. That kind of bounce-back isn’t easy — especially when you’re not playing a full schedule anymore.
Thompson's part-time play this season doesn’t reflect rust; it reflects calculated effort. She’s shown flashes of her best self, and in this major weekend, she’s proving she still belongs among the elite.
Friday’s Field? Tougher Than It Looks
This course isn’t playing nice. Only 15 of the 156 players managed to break par in Thursday’s opening round. And on Friday? Thompson was part of a small group again — one of just 10 under-par rounds in the morning wave of 77 players.
Let that sink in: in a field this stacked, barely anyone is breaking 72. That speaks volumes about how well she’s managing her game under pressure and in punishing weather.
Oh, and shoutout to Charley Hull — who carded a sweet 69 after an opening 78. That's a serious bounce-back if we’ve ever seen one.
Jeeno Still Lurking, But the Chase Is On
It’s not just Thompson making noise, though. First-round leader Jeeno Thitikul, currently the world No. 2, hadn’t even teed off for her second round when Thompson wrapped up her morning heroics. That means the leaderboard is still in flux — but Thompson’s 2-under round set the tone early.
Let’s not forget — majors aren’t won on Fridays, but you sure can lose them. Thompson’s put herself squarely in position heading into the weekend.
Weather Watch: Hotter Than a Grill on the 4th of July
Now, about that weather. With feel-like temperatures soaring into triple digits and the Texas wind picking up as the day went on, the PGA had to ease up on a few things — like allowing caddies to ditch their bibs for a bit of comfort. Still, that didn’t do much to lower the overall challenge.
Playing bogey-free (well, nearly) in those conditions? That’s no joke.
Final Hole Drama: A Sour End to a Solid Round
Every hero story needs a little tension, and for Thompson, it came at the very end. On her 18th hole, she piped a tee shot down the fairway, but her approach came up short, finding a bunker to the right of the flag. She blasted out, but the ball sailed 15 feet past the hole. Her par putt didn’t drop — her only bogey of the round.
Disappointed? Maybe. Defeated? Not even close.
It’s that kind of round — fighting until the last stroke — that tells us Lexi Thompson isn’t just playing out the clock. She’s in it to win it.
Looking Ahead: Can Lexi Go the Distance?
So what’s next? The weekend looms large. Thompson has the experience, the fire, and clearly the game to make a run. With the rest of the field battling a course that’s giving nobody an inch, her veteran savvy could be the X-factor.
She may be semi-retired, but don't let that label fool you — Lexi’s swing still packs a punch. And if she keeps this up, she might just walk away from Frisco with that elusive second major title, a decade after her first.
One thing's for sure: the fans are watching, the field is sweating, and Lexi Thompson is charging up the leaderboard — Texas wind, heat, and pressure be damned.
Weekend Watch Points:
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Can Thompson finally snag her second major after a 10+ year drought?
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Will the Texas heat wear down the leaderboard?
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Could Jeeno Thitikul hold on to her top spot with Lexi lurking?
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Is this the resurgence Lexi fans have been waiting for?
Stay tuned. The weekend at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is shaping up to be a scorcher — and not just because of the weather.
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