Lexi Thompson able to embrace ‘problem’ of PGA Tour occasion4 min read

Lexi Thompson will make her PGA Tour debut this week on the Shriners Kids’s Open in Las Vegas.

The 28-year-old is able to tackle the boys, as she’s going to turn into simply the seventh girl to compete in a PGA Tour occasion.

“Coming right into a PGA Tour occasion, being a lady, is a problem,” Thompson mentioned Tuesday in a session with the media.

“I simply received to play inside myself. I do know my sport. Don’t attempt to push something. Play inside myself, and that’s all I can do. Strive my finest on each single shot, 100% dedicated. No matter occurs, I can solely management my feelings and my sport.”

Picture by Sam Hodde/Getty Photos

Thompson arrives in Las Vegas recent off back-to-back top-10s and a robust efficiency ultimately month’s Solheim Cup, the place she posted a 3-1-0 report.

On the Ascendant LPGA benefiting Volunteers of America final week, Thompson completed in solo fifth, six strokes behind winner Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea.

Then, two weeks in the past, Thompson tied for eighth on the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, the place her administration crew knowledgeable her that she would play within the Shriners Kids’s Open.

“It means the world to me,” Thompson mentioned. “Very honored that Shriners invited me to come back out right here. It’s been one thing I grew up doing with my brothers and have needed to do, however to additionally ship a message out to the Shriners youngsters that no dream is just too small and so they can go after what they need and comply with their desires.”

Thompson’s two brothers, Nicholas and Curtis, have performed on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour.

Nicholas additionally performed in a handful of main championships, final competing within the 2013 U.S. Open, which noticed Justin Rose declare his solely main at Merion.

Curtis, in the meantime, spent the previous season on the Korn Ferry Tour. He additionally earned a spot on the 2023 Honda Traditional, his hometown event, however missed the minimize.

Nonetheless, Thompson’s brothers have lent Thompson recommendation on find out how to play TPC Summerlin, host of the Shriners Kids’s Open.

“They each have performed this golf course and have given me a couple of ideas,” Thompson mentioned. “Even a couple of individuals who have been out on this course gave me some ideas within the golf course, whether or not it was distances, carries, and that I didn’t have to fret about too many carry numbers on the market. Additionally they mentioned I had loads of distance to deal with the golf course.”

Picture by Angel Martinez/Getty Photos

Certainly, Thompson has loads of distance to compete with the boys.

She averages 270.7 yards off the tee, rating twelfth on the LPGA in common driving distance.

“My size helps, I suppose, coming into a few of these greens, particularly if it will get firmer on a few of greens that go slightly bit away,” Thompson mentioned. “[But] right here it’s driver on each gap, and I undoubtedly like that. Hearth away and swing. Get probably the most distance I can on a couple of of these holes.”

If she will hold it within the fairway off the tee, Thompson could have an opportunity to play the weekend.

No LPGA participant has ever made the minimize at a PGA Tour occasion.

“Undoubtedly on the high of my accomplishments,” Thompson mentioned when requested about making the minimize.

“It’s been an honor simply to get this invite, however one step, one shot at a time. [But making the cut] could be a tremendous feeling.”

Thompson begins her first spherical on Thursday at 4:19 p.m. Japanese time with Kevin Roy and Trevor Werbylo. This group will begin their second spherical on Friday at 11:29 a.m. Japanese time.

Golf Channel begins reside protection of the Shriners Kids’s Open at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday and Friday.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough too.