LPGA’s Thompson misses cut at PGA’s Shriners Children’s Open

Professional golfer Lexi Thompson may have missed the cut at the PGA’s Shriners Children’s Open, but her exceptional performance is worth noting. Despite shooting a two-under par round of 69 on Friday, Thompson did not qualify to continue the tournament. She finished on an even-par 142, falling just short of the three-under cut mark.

Cameron Champ and Lanto Griffin dominated the leaderboard, sharing the lead with a score of 12-under par. They were closely followed by Sweden’s Henrik Norlander, who trailed by just one stroke.

Thompson, a talented 28-year-old golfer from Florida, came close to making history on the PGA Tour. She missed a six-foot putt for birdie on her final hole, which would have set the record for the lowest score by a woman in a PGA Tour event. The current record is held by Michelle Wie West, who shot a 68 in the 2004 and 2006 Sony Open in Hawaii.

Thompson aimed to become the first woman to make the cut on the PGA Tour since Shirley Spork achieved a 105th-place result at the 1952 Barracuda Championship. Reflecting on her performance, Thompson expressed pride in her play, stating, “I’m very proud. I played really well today, came out super early, and bogeyed 17 but made a great save on 18 there, and just overall played very steady.” She emphasized the importance of staying focused on her targets and swing thoughts throughout the day.

Thompson’s journey in the tournament faced a minor setback due to bad light on Thursday. She had to return to finish her last two first-round holes, resulting in a bogey on the 17th and a par on the last.

Despite a bogey at the 10th hole in her second round, Thompson showcased her skills with three birdies before the turn. Back-to-back birdies on the first and second holes brought her within reach of the cut. However, her hopes were dashed by bogeys on the par-3 fifth and eighth holes. Thompson reflected on the challenging conditions, stating, “I knew once I had made a few birdies in a row that I would be somewhat close, but I knew the cut line would keep on going lower and lower with these guys, especially with not that much wind out there. I just really tried to stay focused on my game and focused on my swing thoughts, picking small targets and staying 100 percent committed, and whatever happens, happens.”

Lexi Thompson, whose impressive golf career includes a major win at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, last secured an LPGA title at the 2019 ShopRite Classic. Her most recent victory came in a Ladies European Tour event in New York in October 2022. Despite the pressure and attention from fans and the media, Thompson found joy and inspiration in the support of the crowd. She expressed, “No matter what I’m shooting, I could shoot 80, and they’d be like, you did great. That’s what it’s all about, just inspiring.”

In other tournament news, Cameron Champ delivered a strong performance with seven birdies and three bogeys, shooting a 67 in the second round. Lanto Griffin, unable to replicate his impressive 64 from Thursday, finished with a 66. Henrik Norlander stood out with a remarkable 64, concluding his round with an eagle on the par-5 9th hole.

The Shriners Children’s Open continues to captivate fans and golf enthusiasts, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of the players.

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