LAS VEGAS (Oct. 4, 2023) — Today, Shriners Children’s Open has announced that the Florida-based LPGA Tour player, Lexi Thompson, has received an unrestricted sponsor 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. Known for her distance off the tee, Thompson has represented the United States at six Solheim Cups, and was part of Team USA when golf returned to the Olympics in 2016.

She will be seventh woman ever to compete in a PGA TOUR event. LPGA Tour player Babe Didrikson Zaharias became the first woman to receive a sponsor exemption at The Cascades Open in 1935. Thompson will be the first female to compete since Brittany Lincicome at the 2018 Barbasol Championship.

“We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament,” states Patrick Lindsey, Executive Director of 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.”

Thompson will participate in the tournament’s first round beginning on Thursday, Oct. 12 at TPC Summerlin and will compete for the $8.4 million purse in a 132-player field.

To learn more about the annual Shriners Children’s Open, please visit shrinerschildrensopen.com.

Shriners Children's Open Announces Groundbreaking Player Exemption: Lexi Thompson

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