Thompson fires up in LPGA Tour in Indy

Australians Katherine Kirk and Sarah Kemp have some catching up to do in the inaugural Indy Women in Tech Championship.

Lexi Thompson

Lexi Thompson watches her drive on the 12th hole of the Indy Women in Tech Championship tournament. (AAP)

Australia's Katherine Kirk and Sarah Kemp both signed for four-under-par 68s, but were no match for leader Lexi Thompson who shot a sizzling nine-under-par 63 in the opening round of the inaugural Indy Women in Tech Championship.

Thompson holds a one-shot lead over Sandra Gal and Kris Tamulis in the LPGA Tour-event in Indianapolis.

The American had 11 birdies and two bogeys to fall a stroke short of the Brickyard Crossing record set by Mike McCullough in the PGA Tour Champions' 1999 Comfort Classic.

"It was quite the early morning, so it was a bit cold on the range and struggled a bit on the range, but I just hit a few good drivers at the end," Thompson said.

"I just committed to one thing going into the round and I think that's what made my day a lot easier on me. I just stuck to my routine and committed to my golf shots."

Gal, like Thompson, started her morning round on the back nine that features four holes inside the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The German hit 12 of 14 fairways in regulation, avoided the bunkers and finished without a bogey.

"It's cool, it's funky. I really do like the course," Gal said. "I think it has really good challenges off the tee and the greens, and it's cool being inside the track. It gets a little bit windy in there actually. It's just so big, it's unbelievable to be in there."

Tamulis had the best afternoon score with four birdies on each side.

"I think actually just worrying about the hurricane makes me feel like golf's not a big deal, so I just hit it where I was looking, made some putts," said Tamulis, who lives in St Petersburg, Florida.

The best of the Australians are Kirk and Kemp, who sit five behind Thompson in a tie for 19th.

A shot further back is Minjee Lee, who is tied 25th.

The 54-hole event ends Saturday.


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Source: AAP



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