Lexi Thompson becomes the seventh woman to play on the PGA Tour when she competes in the Shriners Children’s Open this week; watch live coverage on Sky Sports Golf, starting Thursday from 6 p.m.
Last updated: 10/10/23 11:43 p.m.
Lexi Thompson becomes seventh woman to play on PGA Tour when she competes at Shriners Children’s Open
Lexi Thompson becomes the seventh woman to play on the PGA Tour when she competes in the Shriners Children’s Open this week, where she says qualifying would be “one of my accomplishments.”
Thompson was the youngest golfer to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open at age 12 in 2007, and she became the youngest to win an LPGA Tour event four years later.
Although those records have since been broken, Thompson’s career includes 11 LPGA Tour victories, one major title and six team appearances in the Solheim Cup.
She now follows in the footsteps of Babe Zaharias, Shirley Spork, Annika Sorenstam, Suzy Whaley, Michelle Wie West and Brittany Lincicome by competing on the PGA Tour.
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Only Spork managed to qualify, finishing 105th in the 1952 Barracuda Championship, and when asked how she would feel achieving such a result, Thompson replied: “Definitely at the pinnacle of my achievements.”
“It was an honor to receive this invitation, but one step, one photo at a time. It would be an incredible feeling.”
She added: “It means the world to me. It’s something I grew up doing with my brothers and wanted to do.
“If I can leave here inspiring others, especially children, that no dream is too small and that they can achieve their dreams, that’s what it’s all about and what this tournament is. There is more to life than performing well.
“We’ll see where golf takes me. I know I’ve played well the last few weeks… Whatever happens, it’s a blessing to be here.”
Thompson played a limited schedule earlier this year, acknowledging she was trying to enjoy her life more off the golf course.
She struggled for most of the year, making just five cuts in 12 LPGA Tour starts. However, she managed to maintain an automatic spot on the U.S. Solheim Cup team and said she found something key in her swing the week before the event in Spain last month.
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Lexi Thompson stayed calm on the 17th to make the par putt that beat Emily Pedersen and ensure the Solheim Cup ended in a tie.
Thompson proved more than worthy of her place, winning three of her four matches in the 14-14 draw that saw Europe retain the trophy.
Thompson has since finished eighth and tied for fifth on the LPGA over the past two weeks and said she has other plans for this weekend before receiving the invitation to play in the Shriners Kids Open.
“It was basically an automatic yes,” she said. “I had plans for this weekend, but they’ve moved to next week now.
“It was such an exciting feeling. I received the news two Sundays ago, it was a bit surreal.
“As I said, I’m very honored that they want me to compete this week and hopefully send an inspiring message.”
Watch all four days of the Shriners Children’s Open live on Sky Sports Golfwith coverage beginning Thursday from 6 p.m.
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