Lexi Thompson Set to Becomes 7th Women to Play in a PGA Event

LPGA star Lexi Thompson is set to become the seventh woman to play in a men’s PGA event after the Shriners Children’s Open announced that the Florida-based player has received an unrestricted sponsor exemption into the upcoming Las Vegas tournament.

“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. You can chase your dream regardless of how hard it is.”

LPGA star Lexi Thompson

Currently ranked 25th in the world, Thompson has amassed 11 victories on the LPGA Tour and began her professional career at the age of 15. 

Thompson is no stranger to making history, in 2007, at the tender age 12, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open. She also became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament when she took the Navistar LPGA Classic at age 16 in 2011.

Thompson has represented the United States at six Solheim Cups, and was part of Team USA when golf returned to the Olympics in 2016.

She won her first and only major at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship and finished tied eighth at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship last week.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament,” states Patrick Lindsey, Executive Director of Shriners Children’s Open. 

“Shriners Children’s mission is to help all children live their best life regardless of what medical challenges lay in front of them. We are eager to have Lexi on the course and continue to break through barriers, just as our more than 1.5 million patients do every day,” Lindsey added.

LPGA Tour player Babe Didrikson Zaharias became the first woman to receive a sponsor exemption at The Cascades Open in 1935. Thompson will be the first female to compete since Brittany Lincicome at the 2018 Barbasol Championship.

Thompson will participate in the tournament’s first round beginning on Thursday, Oct. 12 at TPC Summerlin and will compete for the $8.4 million purse in a 132-player field.

Photo Caption: LPGA star Lexi Thompson is set to become the seventh woman to play in a men’s PGA event after the current world number 25 received an unrestricted sponsor exemption announced by the Shriners Children’s Open. Photo: Lexi Thompson on Instagram