Not the $8.4M Title, but Lexi Thompson Had an Ulterior Motive for Making Her PGA Tour Entry

Lexi Thompson’s recent appearance at the PGA Tour event garnered significant attention, as she made her mark at the Shriners Children’s Open, a moment that etched her name in golfing history. While the field in Las Vegas was competing for an impressive $8.4 million prize pool, Thompson had a different motivation for her PGA Tour entry.

Despite not making the cut and finishing in 85th position with scores of 73 and 69 in the first two rounds, resulting in an even par score, the 28-year-old golfer shared her true intentions during an interview.

During the event, Lexi Thompson referred to the week as “special” and an “honor” to be invited to the tournament. She emphasized the importance of “playing with the men” and “inspiring those kids,” which she expressed as her ultimate goal.

Even though there were many golfers ahead of her on the scoreboard, Thompson remained focused on the children who were “watching and cheering her name.” She unveiled her aspiration to motivate kids to “follow their dreams and go after what they want.”

Not everyone had the same perspective as Thompson. A PGA Tour pro initially labeled her sponsor’s exemption as a “gimmick.” Peter Malnati, a fellow golfer in the men’s circuit, praised Lexi Thompson but speculated that the invitation might have been a way for the tournament to generate interest. He later corrected himself, acknowledging that he wasn’t sure if Thompson’s participation was a publicity stunt but highlighted the historical significance of being the seventh woman to compete in the sport.