x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
How does Lexi Thompson’s impressive PGA Tour debut compare to her peers?
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
      • Emergency 9
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • Emergency 9
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
News

How does Lexi Thompson’s impressive PGA Tour debut compare to her peers?

By: Zephyr Melton
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Follow on Instagram
October 13, 2023
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
lexi thompson reads putt

Lexi Thompson had an impressive PGA Tour debut at the Shriners Children's Open, but how does her performance compare to her peers?

Getty Images

Lexi Thompson took the golf world by storm this week in Las Vegas.

After receiving a sponsor’s exemption into the field at the Shriners Children’s Open, the 11-time LPGA Tour winner put on a show befitting of Sin City. In the process of becoming just the seventh woman to ever tee it up on the PGA Tour, Thompson also made another run at history as she teetered on the cut line all afternoon in Round 2.

Buoyed by five second-round birdies, the 28-year-old sent a jolt into the otherwise sleepy fall golf season, generating buzz typically reserved for major championship weeks. And although her bid to become just the second woman to ever make a Tour cut came up just short, her week at TPC Summerlin was one to remember.

“[I’m] very proud,” Thompson said. “Seeing the people out there and hearing the cheers and seeing all the little kids, that’s what I play for.”

Thompson finished the week even par after rounds of 73 and 69, which leaves her just outside the cut line. How does her performance compare to the other six women who have teed it up with the men? Check it out below.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias

Zaharias was — and remains — one of the greatest female athletes of all time, and her performance amongst the men only solidifies that notion. In 1935, she became the first woman to ever tee it up with the men as she played the Cascades Open. She missed the cut in her debut, but over the next 11 years she made six more starts in men’s events. Zaharias made the cut at the 1945 Los Angeles Open as she became the first (and still only) woman to ever make a cut in a men’s event.

Shirley Spork

Spork was one of the founding members of the LPGA Tour and later became a legendary figure in the instruction space. She competed regularly on the LPGA circuit in her early years and made one start with the men at the 1952 Northern California-Reno Open. She shot 77-80-77-80 and finished 105th.

Annika Sorenstam

News
lexi thompson and megan khang fist bump
This potential golf ‘gold mine’ has the LPGA seeking out new investors
By: James Colgan

Over half a century after Spork competed with the men, Sorenstam made her PGA Tour debut in 2003 after receiving a sponsor’s exemption into the Colonial in Fort Worth. Her inclusion in the field was met with plenty of resistance (Vijay Singh was particularly vocal), but the 10-time major winner proved she belonged as she fired rounds of 71 and 74. It would be her only appearance on the PGA Tour.

Suzy Whaley

Just a few week following Sorenstam’s start in Texas, Whaley made a splash of her own as she teed it up in the Greater Hartford Open. Whaley — who went on to become the first female president of the PGA of America — earned her spot in the field by winning the Connecticut Section PGA Championship the previous year. She posted rounds of 75 and 78 to miss the cut.

Michelle Wie West

The following year, teenaged Michelle Wie West burst onto the scene as she made her PGA Tour debut at the Sony Open. At just 14, she became the youngest woman to ever make a Tour start. Her second-round 68 marked the first time a woman had ever broken 70 in a Tour event, although she fell one shot short of making the cut. Over the next four years, Wie West would make seven more starts with the men, breaking 70 yet again at the 2006 Sony Open.

Brittany Lincicome

Lincicome, a two-time major winner, had been known to play against the men in mini-tour events to tune up her game for the upcoming season, but in 2018, she took it to the next level as she teed it up at the Barbasol Championship. She posted a disappointing 78 in Round 1, but bounced back the next day with a 71.

Latest In News

2 minutes ago

Letting that f’er go and heavenly Oakmont Bakery: 50 thoughts from U.S. Open

16 minutes ago

In hours after J.J. Spaun's U.S. Open win, the best moment was unscripted

4 hours ago

Viktor Hovland lost the U.S. Open but left with something he needed

5 hours ago

2025 Travelers Championship: TV schedule, streaming info, tee times

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.

  • Author Twitter Account
  • Author Instagram Account

Related Articles

Gear
Maja Stark of Sweden plays her shot from the 18th tee during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open presented by Ally 2025 at Erin Hills Golf Course on June 01, 2025 in Erin, Wisconsin.

Maja Stark's clubs: Inside her U.S. Women's Open-winning setup

By: Jack Hirsh
News
large metal u.s. women's open sign at erin hills during the 2025 u.s. women's open

2025 U.S. Women's Open purse: Payout info, winner's share

By: Zephyr Melton
News
Lexi Thompson hits a tee shot during the 2025 U.S. Women's Open

'Get all the facts right:' Lexi Thompson addresses slow-play claims at U.S. Women's Open

By: Josh Schrock
News
maja stark hits a chip shot during the third round of the 2025 u.s. women's open

Who’s going to win the U.S. Women’s Open? Our writers make their picks

By: Zephyr Melton , Nick Piastowski
News
amari avery looks into distance at u.s. women's open / amari avery's golf bag

Pro details 'scary' events that led to U.S. Women's Open club mix-up

By: Zephyr Melton
News
lexi thompson hugs nelly korda at the 2025 u.s. women's open

The 10 biggest names to miss the U.S. Women's Open cut

By: Zephyr Melton
News
nelly korda reads a putt during the second round of the 2025 u.s. women's open

Nelly Korda's hot putter is bad news for other U.S. Women's Open contenders

By: Zephyr Melton
News
2025 U.S. Women's Open trophy on the 15th tee box at Erin Hills.

2025 U.S. Women's Open Friday TV coverage: How to watch Round 2

By: Kevin Cunningham
Instruction
maja stark works on the range ahead of the u.s. women's open

Improve your aim (& swing) with a simple practice tweak from the U.S. Women's Open

By: Zephyr Melton
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version