Lexi Thompson chasing historic PGA Tour cut at Shriners Children’s Open

Lexi Thompson is vying to create an unforgettable weekend in Las Vegas.

As she approaches the finishing stretch of her second round at the Shriners Children’s Open, she is close to the cutline.

If she succeeds, she will become the first female golfer to make a PGA cut since the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias achieved the feat twice in 1945. Up until Friday, Babe Didrikson Zaharias was the only woman to have ever made it to the weekend of a PGA event.

With just one hole left to play, Thompson is currently even par for the tournament, and the projected cut is 2-under. Her strong second round performance has put her in contention to qualify for the weekend, highlighted by consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2 at TPC Summerlin.

The invitation for Thompson to compete this week was granted as a sponsor’s exemption. Despite being ranked 25th in the world and not having won on the LPGA Tour since 2019, Thompson is renowned for her long drives, making her a suitable competitor in a men’s tournament where courses typically demand greater distance compared to women’s events.

Thompson is a familiar name in golf, having made history by becoming the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 12 in 2008. At 16, she triumphed in her first LPGA victory, becoming the youngest-ever winner on the tour at that time. She has since accumulated 11 LPGA wins, including one major title at the 2014 Chevron Championship.

Thompson’s invitation to the tournament was also intended to add excitement and intrigue.

“I think having Lexi in the field and on the broadcast, it’s only going to bring more eyes to the broadcast, which will bring more eyes to the golfers who are here and the golfers’ sponsors that are on their shirts and hats and bags,” said Shriners executive director Patrick Lindsey, according to Golf Magazine. He emphasized the positive impact of generating more attention for the players, Shriners, the city, the golf course, and the entire event.