In the world of professional golf, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship witnessed a promising start from two formidable players – Lexi Thompson and Lydia Ko. Lexi Thompson, fresh off a resurgent performance at the Solheim Cup in Spain, displayed her prowess on the greens by carding an impressive 6-under 65 at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas. With this remarkable performance, she positioned herself just one stroke behind the tournament leader, Hae Ran Ryu, in a competitive field.
Thompson’s resurgence comes at a critical juncture in her career. Ranked at No. 138 in the Race to CME Globe, she faces the risk of losing her LPGA Tour card for the upcoming year, 2024, unless she secures a career money exemption. Her impressive record boasts 11 tour victories, with her last triumph dating back to the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Hae Ran Ryu, a 22-year-old South Korean talent, exhibited her prowess by stringing together four consecutive birdies during a back-nine 30, ultimately finishing with a score of 64. Her journey to this stage included rigorous practice sessions with her coach back in Korea, resulting in a significant boost in her confidence and shot-making abilities.
Lydia Ko, a prominent figure in women’s golf, also had an outstanding round, matching Lexi Thompson’s score of 65. Joining her at this score were Yuka Saso, Kelly Tan, Christina Kim, Hannah Green, Olivia Cowan, Jenny Shin, and Nicole Broch Estrup. As the highest-ranked player in the tournament at No. 10, Ko has fond memories of the Pinnacle Country Club, where she has secured victory in 2016 and earned five other top-10 finishes.
Ko reflected on her affinity for the course, stating, “It’s always good to be back at a place where I have a lot of good memories. Played with the same pro-am group for eight years, so it feels like home away from home.” With 19 LPGA Tour victories to her name, including a recent win at the Honda LPGA Thailand, Ko remains a force to be reckoned with in women’s golf.
Other notable contenders in the tournament included Linnea Strom, Morgane Metraux, Yuna Nishimura, Pernilla Lindberg, Sarah Schmelzel, Bronte Law, and Sofia Garcia, who all posted scores of 66. Defending champion Atthaya Thitikul opened her campaign with a respectable 68.
However, it was a challenging day for former University of Arkansas star Stacy Lewis, who shot a 78. Just a week after captaining the U.S. Solheim Cup team, Lewis struggled to find her form. Notably, she has previously tasted victory at this event in 2007 and 2014.
As the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship unfolds, golf enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting to see which player will emerge victorious in this highly competitive and exciting tournament. With Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko, and a host of other talented golfers in contention, the weekend promises to deliver thrilling action on the greens.
