Portugal Colonial - Thompson to become seventh woman to play US PGA Tour event

Thompson, an 11-time winner on the LPGA tour, has accepted a sponsor's invitation to play in the Shriners Children's Open.

"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," Thompson said in a statement.

"I'm grateful to Shriners Children's for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids."

Thompson, 28, has previously played with the men six times in the unofficial PGA Tour event, the QBE Shootout.

She will be seventh woman ever to compete in a PGA TOUR event, a short list that began when Babe Didrikson Zaharias received a sponsor exemption at the Cascades Open in 1935.

Since then, Shirley Spork, Annika Sorenstam, Suzy Whaley, Michelle Wie and Brittany Lincicome have tested themselves in PGA Tour events, Lincicome the most recent to do so at the 2018 Barbasol Championship.

Thompson's victories include a major title at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship, but she hasn't lifted a trophy since the 2019 ShopRite LPGA Classic.

She has struggled in 2023, but went 3-1 for the United States in their Solheim Cup loss to Europe before a tie for eighth at the NW Arkansas Championship this month.

P.L.Madureira--PC