Lexi Thompson: Eleven-time LPGA Tour winner set to just miss cut at Shriners Children’s Open

Lexi Thompson likely won’t be the first woman in 78 years to qualify in a PGA Tour event; The Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas continues on Sky Sports Golf from 10pm Saturday

Lexi Thompson is set to narrowly miss becoming the second woman to qualify at a PGA Tour event as she finished at par after two rounds at the Shriners Children’s Open.

Thompson had five birdies in his two-under-par 69 at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas on Friday, but the projected cut line is one-under-par.

The 28-year-old, an 11-time LPGA Tour winner, is only the seventh woman to play on the PGA Tour and the first in five years after receiving an invitation from sponsors to compete.

The last woman to make a 36-hole cut on the PGA Tour was Babe Didrikson Zaharias in 1945. Michelle Wie West made eight starts on the PGA Tour, her last in 2008, but missed the cut at all appearances.

“It’s an amazing feeling, not only to have my parents here to support me, but to be able to come here and make my dreams come true,” Thompson said.

“It’s something I wanted to do. I played against my brothers growing up and all the guys were very welcoming, so I’m very grateful for that.

“The most important thing was being there and seeing these kids and meeting some of the Shriners kids as well. That’s what this tournament is about and what Shriners is doing is giving the opportunity to these children to live their best lives.

“It’s the best feeling. Just seeing how many kids are screaming, ‘Go Lexi!’ It makes me cry sometimes because that’s what I played for, to inspire these little kids – boys and girls – to pick up a club or follow their dreams, whether it’s golf or whatever. whatever in life. by doing it. I hope it inspires them to pursue what they want.

Thompson’s 69 Friday was just the third round in the 1960s by a woman on the PGA Tour. Wie shot 68 (-2) twice at the 2004 and 2006 Sony Open.

Thompson had to return to TPC Summerlin early Friday to complete his first round after Thursday’s action was suspended due to darkness.

After opening his second round with a bogey on No. 10, Thompson’s second shot at the par-four 11th landed four feet from the hole. It was the first of three birdies over his next five holes, also converting at the par-five 13th and the short par-four 15th.

She then made the turn and made birdie putts from 24 and 28 feet on the first and second holes. But an out-of-bounds tee shot at the par-three fifth led to a bogey, before she made bogey at the eighth and settled for par at the ninth.

Asked if she felt more pressure than usual at the start of the week, she added: “Not a lot of pressure. The goal was to make the cut. I knew I had to play my best game , I knew there were difficult holes there. .

“There were a few holes for birdies! Like the par-fives. But at the beginning of the week, it was more about a message than playing golf. I like playing with the guys but inspiring the kids is is what I liked the most.”