Today, the Shriners Children’s Open has announced that the Florida-based LPGA player Lexi Thompson has earned a full exemption into the upcoming Las Vegas tournament.
“Shriners Children’s support of children with specialty pediatric medical challenges for over 100 years is inspiring, and as we all know, these conditions do not discriminate,” states Lexi Thompson, LPGA TOUR Player. “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. I cannot wait to come to the city of Las Vegas, and I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids.”
At only 28 years old, Thompson has acquired 11 victories on the LPGA Tour, and began her professional career at the age of 15. She will be the third female player ever to play in a predominately men’s tournament.
LPGA player Babe Didrikson Zaharias was the first women to receive a player exemption in The Cascades Open, a PGA TOUR event in 1935. More recently, Brittany Lincicome received an exemption in the 2018 Barbasol Championship.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament,” states Patrick Lindsey, executive director of the 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.”
Lexi will participate in the tournament’s first round beginning on Thursday, Oct. 12 at TPC Summerlin, and will compete for the $8.9 million purse in a 132-player field.