Two-tee start costs Lexi Thompson the chance to embrace fans on 18th green in what could be final CME

NAPLES, Fla. – After three days of playing in twosomes off the first tee at the CME Group Tour Championship, the field of 60 will play the final round in threesomes off Nos. 1 and 10.

That means Lexi Thompson, who currently sits in a share of 29th at 4 under, will be going off No. 10 at 8:50 a.m in what could be her final appearance at the CME. Thompson announced at the U.S. Women's Open that 2024 would be her final full season on the LPGA and it will be difficult to qualify on limited starts.

"Pretty sad when you're at -4 in the season-ending event, which could easily be the last CME of your career and you won't even finish on #18 because they decide to double the tee on the final day due to TV coverage window," Thompson wrote in an Instagram story.

"Bummed I won't be able to embrace all the incredible fans on 18 tomorrow as I finish. Hopefully some will be out there on #9."

CME Group Tour Championship: Leaderboard | Photos

Thompson, 29, is an 11-time winner on the LPGA and claimed the CME title in 2018. Live TV coverage of the final round is scheduled from 1-4 p.m. ET on NBC.

Thompson will return to Tiburon Golf Club next month for the Grant Thornton Invitational, where she'll play alongside Rickie Fowler.

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Two-tee start costs Lexi Thompson the chance to embrace fans on 18th green in what could be final CME