NAPLES, Fla. — Somi Lee made a change to her putting grip last week. That alone isn’t unusual, of course, but why she did it is noteworthy. The Round 1 leader of the CME Group Tour Championship said she modeled her new putting grip after that of LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko.

So far it’s working quite well for the South Korean, who opened with an 8-under 64 and took only 27 putts at Tiburon Golf Club.

“So I saw it two weeks ago, and then I started using that last week,” said Lee, who is making her CME debut. “But I don't think the grip was quite right yet, and this week we adjusted it, and I think it's working really well.

“I usually use an arm lock so I want to change to a normal lock so I can feel my hands a little bit more. I adjusted mainly that part, and also a few angles in the loft.”

Lee won the Dow Championship with teammate Jin Hee Im, who is three shots back in a share of third with the likes of No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul.

Allisen Corpuz sits alone in second at 6 under.

Miyu Yamashita, the only player who could overtake Thitikul to win LPGA Player of the Year, opened with a 70. She needs to win the CME to have a chance.

Thitikul, who along with Yamashita are the only repeat winners on tour this year, said she’s trying to survive a wrist injury that flared up from hitting too many golf balls on firm ground.

“Like this week is good. I didn't hit the ball on Tuesday because I really want to protect it,” said Thitikul. “Then do I some like rehabs and then icing, so I just want to survive.”

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: CME Tour Championship leader Somi Lee putting grip looks like Lydia Ko

Reporting by Beth Ann Nichols, Golfweek / Golfweek

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