Lexi Thompson will join Brittany Lincicome, Michelle Wie West, Suzy Whaley, Annika Sorenstam, Shirley Spork and Babe Didrikson Zaharias to join the PGA Tour after accepting a sponsor’s waiver to play in the Shriners Children’s Open
Last updated: 04/23/10 6:15 PM
Lexi Thompson becomes just the seventh woman to compete on the PGA Tour
Lexi Thompson will become just the seventh woman to play on the PGA Tour after accepting a sponsor’s waiver to play in the Shriners Children’s Open next week.
Brittany Lincicome, Michelle Wie West, Suzy Whaley, Annika Sorenstam, Shirley Spork and Babe Didrikson Zaharias are the previous women to have competed in an event on the flagship men’s tour.
The 28-year-old Thompson, who has won 11 times on the equivalent women’s tour and is among the longest hitters as she averages 270 yards off the tee this season, will join the club when she tees off at the Las Vegas event from October 12 to 15. .
I am hopeful that my ability to play with the men at the Shriners Children’s Open next week sends a great message to the young women that you can pursue your dream, no matter how difficult it is.
Lexi Thompson
“Shriners Children’s support of children with special pediatric medical needs has been inspiring for more than 100 years, and as we all know, these conditions do not discriminate,” said Thompson.
“I am hopeful that my ability to play with the men at the Shriners Children’s Open next week sends a great message to the young women that you can pursue your dream, no matter how difficult it may be.
“I can’t wait to come to the city of Las Vegas and I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity to spend the week with these inspiring children.”
Thompson has the form to be a pioneer as the youngest woman to qualify for the US Women’s Open in 2007 at the age of 12.
She also holds the record as the youngest LPGA champion, at 16 years, seven months and eight days, after winning the 2011 Navistar LPGA Classic.
“We are excited to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament,” said Patrick Lindsey, executive director of Shriners Children’s Open.
“We’re eager to have Lexi on the court and continue to break barriers.”
Watch the Shriners Children’s Open live on Sky from Thursday 12 October.
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