‘Can Only Imagine’– Even the Champ Feels the Soaring Heat From Lexi Thompson Despite Her Debutant PGA Tour Status

Lexi Thompson’s history-making feat at the Shriners Children’s Open is a flag-up for a tough challenge for her competitors. At least that’s how the defending champion, Tom Kim, and PGA Pro, Taylor Montgomery feel.

The 28-year-old golfer is set to join the elite and illustrious group of LPGA stars, who have competed in PGA Tour events alongside their male peers. Among the five who have written their name in history, only Shirley Spork was able to make the cut. She finished 105th at the 1952 Barracuda Championship. It’s been 72 years since then, but still, the six-time Solheim Cupper’s PGA debut has got the pros “worried”, as their recent comments reveal.

PGA Pros weigh in on Lexi Thompson’s debut

Previous year’s champion Tom Kim is travelling to Las Vegas to defend his title at the Shriners Children’s Open. The South Korean phenom created history by becoming the only golfer since Tiger Woods, to win a Tour event twice before turning 21 when he bagged the title last year. The 21-year-old golfer from Seoul has notched up top-25 finishes in each of his last five starts.

As per odds makers, Kim is the favorite to win this time again. Speaking to the media, the defending champion, however, was in all praise for the 28-year-old LPGA Star. “Well, you know, she hits the ball very far.” Thompson is known for shooting very long, ranking 12th with a driving distance of 270 yards. Further adding, the two-time-PGA-tour winner said, “If I play with her, I would be worried.”

It was not just the South Korean International who was worried. Thompson’s American compatriot, Taylor Montgomery has played with her brother, Curthis Thompson, who finished in the top ten three times at the Korn Ferry Tour in 2015. “That’s one crazy dude, Curtis. I can only imagine what Lexi is like.” said the 28-year-old golfer in a press conference.

Montgomery, although earned enough points to qualify for the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, finished at 37 on the leaderboard at St. Jude Championship. Last month he also missed the cut at the Fortinet Championship, the first event of the FedEx Fall series. But, where does the star of the show, Lexi Thompson stand amidst all this?

Read More: 2023 Shriners Children’s Open: Prize Money Breakdown and Winner’s Payout

Lexi Thompson is accustomed to the pressure that comes with her history-making feat

Lexi Thompson is no stranger to making and breaking records. When a 12-year-old Thompson debuted at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2007, she became the youngest golfer to do so. Shriners Children’s Open gives her the opportunity to join a very small and elite group of female golfers this week who played at the PGA Tour.

Teeing up against men is not a novel experience for her either. The 1x Major winner has done that six times in the QBE Shootout and is set to do it again this year at the Grant Thornton Invitational in December alongside Rickie Fowler.

As for now, all eyes will be on the World No. 25 when she tees off at the Shriners Children’s Open on Thursday. Lexi Thompson is seeded in a group alongside Kevin Roy and Trevor Werbylo.

Watch this story: “Just so cute”: A rejuvenating little surprise delights LPGA’s pride Lexi Thompson as she heads to rewrite PGA Tour’s History