Lexi Thompson opened with a massive 302 yards drive in her PGA Tour debut
Long Hitting LPGA Tour star Lexi Thompson joined the likes of Michelle Wie and Annika Sorenstam as ladies who played on the PGA Tour when she teed off at the US$8 million Shriners Hospital Charity Open in Las Vegas this week.
The LPGA star, who struggled for most of the year, has turned her game around of late, finishing T-19, T-8 & 5th in her last three starts.
Lexi Thompson becomes the 7th woman to compete in a PGA Tour event. pic.twitter.com/BmVrqGTkhr
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) October 12, 2023
Lexi’s appearance alongside the men has generated significant interest as she outdrove the men a few times in the opening round, made birdies and appeared not intimidated at all.
While the media is largely endorsing the decision to include Thompson in the field, PGA Tour winner Peter Malnati initially criticized it as a gimmick but later retracted his comment. You can watch the video here –
Peter Malnati calls Lexi Thompson a ”Gimmick” and then quickly retracts statement. pic.twitter.com/prCiPQsfQn
— CHARGE GOLF BTS (@ChargeGolfBTS) October 5, 2023
Of the 7 women in history to be invited to play on the PGA Tour, only Babe Zaharias, an Olympic gold medal-winning track and field athlete turned 10-time LPGA Tour major winner, who was the first to do so in 1935 has made a cut. Lexi too appears poised to miss the cut as she stands at +2 while the cut line looks to be at Even Par.
Photo – LA Chronicles