Lexi Thompson surveying her second shot on the par-5 second hole at the FM Championship.
By Karen Guregian | KGuregian@masslive.com
NORTON – The roar reverberated around TPC Boston like the Fourth of July cannon blasts on the Esplanade when the Pops play the 1812 overture.
The ground literally shook.
“That was a hole-in-one scream,” said one fan, who was watching – and listening – from an adjacent hole.
Or, having been to a few Masters, it was a lot like a Tiger roar.
In truth, it was merely one of several highlight shots delivered by one of the ‘featured’ groups on Day 3 of the FM Championship.
Rockland’s Megan Khang, who is a hero around these parts, and Lexi Thompson, who is one of the biggest stars on the LPGA Tour, were paired together for the round.
Fans were flocked 5-and-6 deep when the duo teed off at 11:50 a.m. and the crowd grew as they navigated the picturesque New England course.
The roar?
That came after Thompson sank an 18-foot putt from off the green on the Par-5 second hole for eagle.
While the two Solheim Cup teammates, who were both wearing hot pink tops, weren’t in the lead group that featured South Korea’s Haerun Ryu and the Philippines Bianca Pagdanganan, it sure seemed like it based on the mob they attracted.
For a time, Khang and Thompson were must-see viewing, especially on the front side. They didn’t exactly hike up the leaderboard on moving day, both shooting 1-under par (71) to get to 4-under for the tournament, seven shots off the lead. But on an uneven day for both, they were still worth the look.
Between the atmosphere, the camaraderie between the two women, and the golf, it was hard to beat this duo.
“We had a great time out there,” Thompson said after walking off the 18th, and signing autographs for 20 minutes before hitting the media tent. “The fans were incredible.”
Massachusetts-bred Khang might have received the louder cheers and a wee bit more support, mostly due to being the local.
But that didn’t diminish the love for Thompson, who announced that 2024 would be her last year competing professionally. The 29-year-old qualified to play in the U.S. Women’s Open when she was 12. She turned pro at 15, and has been a fixture – and face – of the LPGA Tour for quite some time.
“Lexi has been great for the game of golf. Such a household name. Done so much, especially at a young age,” Khang said. “She is not too much older than I am, but it’s pretty cool that like when I was growing up playing junior golf, Lexi was kind of crushing it out here on tour.
“You know, we’re sad to see her leave. Being able to play this round – and I played with her a couple weeks ago in Canada – it’s always fun playing with her. The tour will miss her.
“I think all the fans will as well, and the players,” she went on. “Being able to kind of be on the same team with her on the Solheim Cup coming up – might be her last one; who knows; maybe she changes her mind and comes out of retirement — but it’s going to be a fun week.”
Thompson joked that every hole she inevitably hears someone ask her to stay, and not retire from golf.
“I don’t really know how to respond to it. I’m like, ‘Oh, thanks,’” Thompson said, shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know. I mean, I feel the support and love from all the fans. I truly am blessed and grateful for every single one of them. It’s just something that’s been on my mind for quite some time. There is more important things.”
Like getting married and settling down, spending more time with her dog Leo, and tending to her recently launched “Lexi Fitness” company.
“(I’m) hoping that people are able to see through my training and I can help them out in any way, whether it’s physically, mentally, on that app. Just showing them certain exercises that have helped me a lot along the way,” Thompson said when asked about her future plans. “Besides that, I want to travel, get to see a lot of places and explore. Then just settle down, get married, have a family one day. More important.”
Both women are looking forward to competing together in the Solheim Cup in two weeks at the Robert Trent Golf Club in Virginia.
Thompson, who was a a captain’s pick, named by Stacy Lewis, has made a name for herself playing for Team USA, going 9-7-7 overall, and 5-2-1 in the alternate-shot format.
Khang, who was undefeated in Solheim Cup play last year, was asked what was more nerve-wracking: Performing in front of her home crowd, or playing for her country.
“I was joking with Lexi on the 10th green. We made the turn and I was like, honestly, I don’t know what’s more nerve-wracking playing in front of a home crowd or playing a Solheim Cup. They’re pretty close,” Khang said. “Obviously I wanted to play well for the fans here in Massachusetts and obviously for my family as well, but kind of just soaking it all in and seeing how I can perform given the immense pressure and challenge of playing at home and wanting to do well not only for myself but for others.
“I’m going to try to take it and be like, you know what, when the time comes, I can do it. I can buckle down, and hopefully tomorrow it shows a little more than the past couple days.”
Being seven shots back, it’ll take a lot for Khang or Thompson to threaten the leaders. But given Day 2 leader Hearna Ryu blew a six-shot lead, and now trails by four, anything can happen.
More Fm Golf
Rain pauses, doesn’t dampen FM Championship – Day 4 notebook
Sep. 1, 2024, 8:09p.m.
FM Championship crowns inaugural winner after dramatic finish
Sep. 1, 2024, 7:46p.m.
Megan Khang shines on the course and as LPGA’s Boston ambassador | Matt Vautour
Sep. 1, 2024, 6:24p.m.
Lightning puts LPGA’s FM Championship at TPC Boston in delay
Sep. 1, 2024, 4:05p.m.
Who’s in contention on final day of FM Championship
Sep. 1, 2024, 6:00a.m.
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