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Lexi Thompson jumps out to first-round lead at Kingsmill

  • In Gee Chun chips the ball on the 15th during...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    In Gee Chun chips the ball on the 15th during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Bryn Montgomery, 11, watches as Lexi Thompson, left, autographs a...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Bryn Montgomery, 11, watches as Lexi Thompson, left, autographs a hat after completing round three of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson sinks a birdie putt on the first green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson sinks a birdie putt on the first green during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Lydia Ko tees off the 1st hole during the second...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko tees off the 1st hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson reacts to missing this birdie putt on the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson reacts to missing this birdie putt on the 11th green during the second round 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • Lexi Thompson takes her tee shot on the second hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson takes her tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson sinks a birdie putt on the 9th green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson sinks a birdie putt on the 9th green during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Karine Icher lines up her shot on the 18th green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Karine Icher lines up her shot on the 18th green during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson tees off on the 2nd hole during the...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson tees off on the 2nd hole during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Gerina Piller chips up to the 18th green during the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller chips up to the 18th green during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Spectators cheer after Lexi Thompson makes a birdie on the...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Spectators cheer after Lexi Thompson makes a birdie on the 14th green during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lydia Ko takes a shot from the 1st fairway during...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko takes a shot from the 1st fairway during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • In Gee Chun takes her tee shot on the 18th...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    In Gee Chun takes her tee shot on the 18th hole during the third round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th. Chun finished at 11 under for the tournament.

  • In Gee Chun hits the ball down fairway of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    In Gee Chun hits the ball down fairway of the 18th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson reacts to missing a birdie putt on the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson reacts to missing a birdie putt on the second green during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Sisters Nelly, left, and Jessica Korda, right, look ahead at...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Sisters Nelly, left, and Jessica Korda, right, look ahead at the green during the round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Angela Stanford hugs Ryann O'Toole after finishing the 2017 LPGA...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Angela Stanford hugs Ryann O'Toole after finishing the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st. Stanford finished in third place at 11 under for the tournament.

  • In Gee Chun chips the ball during round four of...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    In Gee Chun chips the ball during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • In Gee Chun puts some english on the ball as...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    In Gee Chun puts some english on the ball as she chips up to the green on the fifth hole during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Lexi Thompson poses with the trophy after winning the 2017...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson poses with the trophy after winning the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Jessica Korda hits the ball down the fairway of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Jessica Korda hits the ball down the fairway of the 8th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • In Gee Chun waves to the crowd after getting a...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    In Gee Chun waves to the crowd after getting a birdie on the second green during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Jessica Korda looks over the green of the 8th hole...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Jessica Korda looks over the green of the 8th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Danielle King takes her tee shot on the first hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Danielle King takes her tee shot on the first hole during the final day of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • So Yeon Ryu chips the ball out of the bunker...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    So Yeon Ryu chips the ball out of the bunker during round three of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • In Gee Chun reacts after sinking a putt on the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    In Gee Chun reacts after sinking a putt on the 8th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson, left, and In Gee Chun, right, walk up...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Lexi Thompson, left, and In Gee Chun, right, walk up to the 9th green during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Austin Ernst chips the ball toward the green of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Austin Ernst chips the ball toward the green of the 7th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson chips the ball during round three of the...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson chips the ball during round three of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson watches her ball as she finishes first place...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Lexi Thompson watches her ball as she finishes first place with 20 under par on the 18th hole during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Players walk down the fairway of the 1st hole during...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Players walk down the fairway of the 1st hole during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Gerina Piller takes her first putt on the 18th green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller takes her first putt on the 18th green during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st. Piller finished 8 under for the tournament.

  • Lexi Thompson has a laugh with her caddy as they...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson has a laugh with her caddy as they make their way up the 11th fairway during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • Gerina Piller hits the ball out of the sand along...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller hits the ball out of the sand along the 7th fairway during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Spectators watch during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Spectators watch during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Gerina Piller takes her tee shot on the 18th hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller takes her tee shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2017 Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson chips the ball of the fairway of the...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson chips the ball of the fairway of the 4th during 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson tees off on the 3rd hole during the...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson tees off on the 3rd hole during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Nelly Korda drives the ball towards the green of the...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Nelly Korda drives the ball towards the green of the 9th during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lydia Ko hits the ball towards the green of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko hits the ball towards the green of the 18th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson watches her ball after chipping off the fairway...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Lexi Thompson watches her ball after chipping off the fairway on the 18th hole during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Brittany Lincicome takes her tee shot on the second hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Brittany Lincicome takes her tee shot on the second hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson cheers after she finishes first place with 20...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Lexi Thompson cheers after she finishes first place with 20 under par on the 18th hole during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Minjee Lee takes her tee shot on the second hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Minjee Lee takes her tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Lexi Thompson takes her tee shot on the second hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson takes her tee shot on the second hole during the final day of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Brittany Lincicome takes a drop on the 9th green during...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Brittany Lincicome takes a drop on the 9th green during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • Katherine Kirk hits the ball out of a bunker on...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Katherine Kirk hits the ball out of a bunker on the 9th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Brittany Lincicome takes her tee shot on the first hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Brittany Lincicome takes her tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Gerina Piller sinks this birdie putt on the 11 green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller sinks this birdie putt on the 11 green during the second round 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • Austin Ernst chips the ball toward the green of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Austin Ernst chips the ball toward the green of the 7th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Candie Kung hits out of the bunker on the fifth...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Candie Kung hits out of the bunker on the fifth hole during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Christie Kerr reacts after almost chipping in the ball on...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Christie Kerr reacts after almost chipping in the ball on the 8th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Spectators follow players Lexi Thompson and Gerina Piller during round...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Spectators follow players Lexi Thompson and Gerina Piller during round three of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson celebrates with her caddy Kevin McAlpine after winning...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson celebrates with her caddy Kevin McAlpine after winning the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st. Thompson set a tournament record at 20 under beating Annika Sorenstam's record of 19 under set in 2008.

  • Lydia Ko waves to the crowd on the 18th green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko waves to the crowd on the 18th green after finishing 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st. Ko finished 7 under for the tournament.

  • Ally McDonald hits the ball out of a bunker on...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Ally McDonald hits the ball out of a bunker on the 18th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson chips onto the 18th green from round three...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson chips onto the 18th green from round three of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Spectators reacts after a missed putt by Nelly Korda on...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Spectators reacts after a missed putt by Nelly Korda on the 9th green during the round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Madeline Leach, 9, carries a sign supporting Lexi Thompson as...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Madeline Leach, 9, carries a sign supporting Lexi Thompson as they pass the fairway along the 15th fairway during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lydia Ko putts the ball on green of the 1st...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko putts the ball on green of the 1st hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson is showered with bottled water after she finished...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Lexi Thompson is showered with bottled water after she finished first place with 20 under par on the 18th hole during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson reacts to just missing a putt on the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson reacts to just missing a putt on the first green during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • Gerina Piller signs autographs after the second round of the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller signs autographs after the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship. Piller finished second Friday at 9 under for the tournament.

  • Shanshan Feng hits the ball down the fairway of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Shanshan Feng hits the ball down the fairway of the 18th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Crowds of fans walk along the pathway of the 8th...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Crowds of fans walk along the pathway of the 8th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Sisters Jessica, left, and Nelly Korda, right, play the 6th...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Sisters Jessica, left, and Nelly Korda, right, play the 6th green during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson signs autographs after finishing the second round of...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson signs autographs after finishing the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship. Thompson finished in first place at 12 under for the tournament.

  • Jessica Korda hits the ball onto the green of the...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Jessica Korda hits the ball onto the green of the 8th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson celebrates with friends Dan and Sydney Steger after...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson celebrates with friends Dan and Sydney Steger after winning the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st. Thompson set a tournament record at 20 under beating Annika Sorenstam's record of 19 under set in 2008.

  • Lexi Thompson takes a practice swing during round four of...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Lexi Thompson takes a practice swing during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lydia Ko waves to the crowd on the 18th green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko waves to the crowd on the 18th green after completing the third round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th. Ko finished at 9 under for the tournament.

  • Sei Young Kim takes her tee shot on the second...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Sei Young Kim takes her tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Amelia Lewis hits the ball from out of bonds on...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Amelia Lewis hits the ball from out of bonds on the 18th during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • See Young Kim chips up to the green on the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    See Young Kim chips up to the green on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st. Kim finished at 9 under for the tournament.

  • Lexi Thompson chips up to the 18th green during the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson chips up to the 18th green during the third round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th. Thompson finished in first place at 14 under par for the tournament.

  • Spectators watch Lexi Thompson miss a birdie on the 7th...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Spectators watch Lexi Thompson miss a birdie on the 7th green during round three of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Spectators watch as In Gee Chun tees off the 16th...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Spectators watch as In Gee Chun tees off the 16th hole round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Scoreboard calligrapher Paul Pope, left, and volunteer Ed Medford, right,...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Scoreboard calligrapher Paul Pope, left, and volunteer Ed Medford, right, update the scoreboard during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson sinks a birdie putt on the 17th green...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson sinks a birdie putt on the 17th green to move to 12 under for the tournament during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • Lexi Thompson takes her tee shot on the third hole...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson takes her tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Vicky Hurst hits out of the bunker on the 8th...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Vicky Hurst hits out of the bunker on the 8th hole 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Lydia Ko reacts after missing a putt on the 9th...

    Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

    Lydia Ko reacts after missing a putt on the 9th hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship May 19, 2017.

  • Lexi Thompson chips up to the green on the 9th...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Lexi Thompson chips up to the green on the 9th hole during the second round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Saturday May 20th.

  • Jessica Korda putts the ball on the 9th green during...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Jessica Korda putts the ball on the 9th green during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • In Gee Chun waits to take her shot on the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    In Gee Chun waits to take her shot on the second green during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • Chesapeake's Lorelei Claderon, 2, plays in the grass during round...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    Chesapeake's Lorelei Claderon, 2, plays in the grass during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • Gerina Piller tees off on the 3rd hole during the...

    Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

    Gerina Piller tees off on the 3rd hole during the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

  • Flags fly over the stands on the 17th green Friday...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Flags fly over the stands on the 17th green Friday May 19th at the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship.

  • Madelene Sagstrom asks for help from the crowd on the...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    Madelene Sagstrom asks for help from the crowd on the 18th green after her ball got hung up on the edge of the cup during the final round of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship Sunday May 21st.

  • So Yeon Ryu takes her tee shot on the first...

    Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

    So Yeon Ryu takes her tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Kingsmill Championship Friday May 19, 2017.

  • In Gee Chun watches after chipping the ball on the...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    In Gee Chun watches after chipping the ball on the fairway of the 13th during the round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

  • In Gee Chun smiles at her caddy during round four...

    Aileen Devlin/Daily Press /

    In Gee Chun smiles at her caddy during round four of the 2017 LPGA Kingsmill Championship held in Williamsburg on Sunday, May 21, 2017.

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For Wednesday’s pro-am, Lexi Thompson arrived by parachuting onto the River Course from 10,000 feet.

Apparently, she doesn’t want that to be her only memorable experience of the week.

Thompson birdied six of her final nine holes for a 6-under-par 65, giving her a one-shot lead after Thursday’s first round of the Kingsmill Championship. Gerina Piller, Brittany Lincicome and Angel Yin are tied for second at 5 under, giving the United States the top four positions on the leaderboard.

Thompson, seeking her first championship of the year, hit 17 of 18 greens and needed only 29 putts.

“The second nine was pretty crazy,” Thompson said. “I hit some great shots and rolled a few good putts, so that definitely helped out my confidence.

“I was hitting it well for my first nine holes. I just didn’t hit it too close. I was struggling with my yardages a little bit. I knew I was hitting it solid, so staying patient really helped.”

Sarah Jane Smith, Giulia Molinaro and Lydia Ko are tied for fifth at 4 under. Eight players, including 2015 Kingsmill champion Minjee Lee, are 3 under.

Defending champion Ariya Jutanugarn shot 1 over par with one birdie and two bogeys. Cristie Kerr, Kingsmill’s only multiple winner, was 2 over.

A day after making her parachute jump to announce a partnership with the SEAL Legacy Foundation, Thompson got off to a slow start. Following a birdie on No. 11 (she started on 10), Thompson bogeyed 17.

Piller, one of her playing partners, was already 4 under at that point.

Thompson got to 1 under on No. 1 and followed with consecutive birdies on Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. That put her in a tie with Piller.

The 22-year-old made par on her final two holes. Piller closed with a bogey on No. 9, which dropped her to 5 under and a share of second place.

“I just kind of hit it in the right rough and (had) kind of a tough lie,” she said. “The rough’s kind of thick, and I kind of hooked it out of the rough and didn’t get on the green.”

Thompson’s 6-under score matched her second-best round of the season. She shot a 12-under 61 in the Bahamas in January.

“I’m never going to complain with 6 under par,” she said. “I’m just trying to focus on my game and get it more consistent. … I’m in a good spot right now.”

Piller has two fourth-place finishes this year and is regarded as one of the best on the tour who hasn’t won a championship in her career. Not that she prefers to think of it that way.

“I know I haven’t won, and that doesn’t define my career,” said Piller, who tied for third here last year. “I’m OK with that. I would love to get my first win, but golf is merely my job.

“It’s not who I am. If I come out here and I still love competing and working at it, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Lincicome’s five-birdie, no-bogey 66 was her best round since mid-March. After beginning the year by winning in the Bahamas, she had missed the cut twice and tied for 32nd in her last three tournaments.

“Obviously, the last couple events haven’t gone the way I would’ve liked them to,” she said. “Playing so well in the Bahamas, you know, I was hoping it was going to kind of keep going all year.

“Golf is very up and down. I missed a few cuts, and now it’s just nice to be playing good again.”

Yin, an 18-year-old rookie, moved to 6 under with a birdie on No. 7 (her 16th). But she bogeyed the next hole.

Yin is coming off back-to-back ties for fifth place after missing the cut three times in five events.

“I feel great,” she said. “It’s a solid first round.”

Thompson just wants to keep the good vibes going. Her first championship of 2017 would be welcomed, certainly, but it wouldn’t erase the memory of Wednesday’s tandem jump with a Navy SEAL.

“There was nothing like it,” she said. “Words can’t describe the feeling.”

Johnson can be reached by phone at 757-247-4649.