Lexi Thompson to play in PGA's Shriners Children's Open

LPGA star Lexi Thompson will make her PGA Tour debut next week at the Shriners Children's Open.

A sponsor invitation that was announced Wednesday will make Thompson just the seventh woman to tee it up with the men.

"We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament," said Patrick Lindsey, executive director of the Shriners Children's Open. "We are eager to have Lexi on the course and continue to break through barriers."

Thompson, 28, is an 11-time winner on the LPGA Tour and is currently No. 25 in the Rolex Rankings.

The Shriners Children's Open begins on Oct. 12 in Las Vegas at the TPC at Summerlin.

Brittany Lincicome was the last woman to play in a PGA Tour event at the 2018 Barbasol Championship.

"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," Thompson said in a statement. "I'm grateful to Shriners Children's for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids."

Thompson went 3-1 for Team USA at the Solheim Cup last month and is coming off a T8 finish last week at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.

The other women who have played on the PGA Tour are Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Michelle Wie West, Suzy Whaley, Annika Sorenstam and Shirley Spork.

—Field Level Media