Lexi Thompson is set to make history next week on the PGA Tour!
Thompson will tee it up on a sponsor invite at the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas. In the process, she’ll become the seventh woman to play in a PGA Tour event.
The most recent was Brittany Lincicome, who played in the 2018 Barbasol Championship.
Thompson is ranked 25th in the world.
“I’m hopeful that my ability to play with the men next week at the Shriners Children’s Open sends a great message to the young women that you can chase your dream regardless of how hard it is,” Thompson said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids.”
Thompson, an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour, has played with the men six times in an unofficial PGA Tour event – the QBE Shootout. Her brothers, Curtis and Nicholas (who is currently her caddie) have both played on the Korn Ferry and PGA Tours.
Thompson, 28, is 13th on the LPGA Tour in driving distance, averaging just over 270 yards per drive. TPC Summerlin played to 7,255 yards last year. Tom Kim won the event at 24 under par.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament,” said Patrick Lindsey, executive director of the Shriners Children’s Open. “We are eager to have Lexi on the course and continue to break through barriers.”
Thompson, who first qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12, has struggled this season but showed flashes of brilliance lately. She went 3-1 at the Solheim Cup and then notched her first top-10 finish of the season at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G the next week.
Babe Zaharias, in 1945, remains the only female to make a cut in a PGA Tour event.
The Shriners Children’s Open goes from Oct. 12-15.
Fantastic! Go Lexi!
I get that the sponsor gets to add a few special invitees, and I get that this will attract publicity and, possibly, raise viewership. I feel sorry for the male who might otherwise have had a chance to test their abilities and, possibly, earn a few dollars. I only hope that Lexi has to play from the same tees as the men.
It’s fabulous to see Lexi competing with the men. I hope she does well. GO GET ‘EM GIRL!!