Somi Lee Leads CME Tour Championship After Switching to Ko’s Putting Grip
Somi Lee grabbed a two-shot lead at the CME Group Tour Championship Thursday, firing an 8-under 64 at Tiburon Golf Club to position herself for the $4 million first-place prize. The South Korean’s decision to adopt Lydia Ko’s putting grip paid immediate dividends.
Lee built her advantage with a well-executed 5-iron on the par-5 17th that set up an eagle. Her only misstep came on the final hole where a three-putt resulted in her lone bogey of the day.
Former U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz sits two shots back after posting a 66.
Jeeno Thitikul, the world No. 1 and frontrunner for LPGA Player of the Year, carded a 67 that included six birdies. She’s tied with three others, including Jin Hee Im, Nasa Hataoka, and Sei-young Kim. Thitikul won this event last year and will secure Player of the Year honors unless Miyu Yamashita wins this week.
Yamashita, whose 2024 campaign includes two victories highlighted by the AIG Women’s Open, struggled to a 70 after making two bogeys.
Nelly Korda, looking to avoid her first winless season after claiming seven titles last year, posted a disappointing 71 that included a missed 3-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
Lee, who won the Dow Championship this year with Jin Hee Im, made the putting grip change after watching Ko, the newest LPGA Hall of Fame member.
“I just followed Lydia Ko’s putter grip because she’s a good player and I thought, ‘Why not follow a good player’s putter grip?’ It worked really well,” Lee said.
The change proved effective immediately. Lee needed just 27 putts during her opening round after implementing the new grip last week with some minor adjustments.
The season-ending tournament features the top 60 players in the Race to CME Globe standings, though those rankings no longer matter. It’s a clean slate with the winner claiming the $4 million prize from the $11 million purse—the richest payday in women’s golf.
Thitikul seems motivated by the approaching offseason.
“I think because we’re going to finish the season,” the Thai star said when asked why she plays so well at Tiburon. “I don’t know, just excited and like we had nothing to worry about. Because this is our last tournament of the year and then we just play like carefree.”
She’s competing despite a tender left wrist that forced her to skip practice on Tuesday. The injury, sustained from hitting off firm turf at Pelican Golf Club last week, remains “a little sore” but isn’t affecting her play. Her only frustration was failing to birdie any of the four par-5s.
“I know like we’re playing for $4 million check, but to me I think it’s just like almost a bonus for me this kind of year to be able to play here,” she added. “I have been on a really good run for the year, nothing to think about that much.”
Major champions Grace Kim (Evian Championship) and Minjee Lee (Women’s PGA) are in contention after opening with 68s.
Lexi Thompson was challenging for the lead early until her short game let her down on the closing holes. She stubbed a chip on the par-5 17th that rolled down a swale, then hit the cup with her next attempt before missing the 3-foot par putt. Another missed 4-footer on 18 left her with a 70.
Thompson, who’s getting married early next year, played just 11 events before this tournament. She still aims to make the next Solheim Cup team but doesn’t plan to expand her schedule in 2025.
Korda’s round included two early bogeys. While she played the final 16 holes without a blemish, she couldn’t convert several good birdie opportunities to climb the leaderboard.
