While Lexi Thompson Witnessed an Aching Slump, Has Any Woman Ever Made a PGA Tour Cut?

On Friday, Lexi Thompson became only the seventh woman in history to tee it up against men on the PGA Tour. Although the LPGA star failed to make the cut at the Shriners Children’s Open, fans are no less proud of her achievements. After all, for the 11-time LPGA Tour winner, it was more about inspiring upcoming golfers and kids at the Shriners.

The 28-year-old golfer was almost on the cusp of history after the end of the first day. However, a break in form in the last few holes, most notably, two bogeys on the 14th and 17th holes, knocked her out of the race. As Lexi Thompson leaves with her head held high, one question still lingers. Have any women ever made the hallowed PGA Tour cut?

Has any female golfer made the cut in a PGA Tour event?

A grand total of seven women, including Lexi Thompson, have teed it up against their male peers. However, only one was able to make the cut. That too, way back in 1945.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias is a name uttered with utmost respect and reverence in the sports world. Arguably, one of the greatest athletes of the last century, the American international won gold in track and field in the 1932 Olympics and picked golf quite late in her life. Three years after her Olympic exploits, Zaharias debuted at the 1935 Cascades Open. Success eluded her at that time.

But, the Hall-of-Fame inductee remained persistent throughout the next decade, in which she competed against men a number of times. Finally, in 1945 the 10-time Major winner made the cut at the Los Angeles Open (now known as Genesis Invitational).

Unfortunately, the 41-time LPGA Tour winner failed to make the second cut that would have made her eligible for the final round. Zaharias etched her name in history, regardless.

Read More: ‘Amazing Gift From the Children’: Golf Fans Left in Awe, as Lexi Thompson Uses a Special Motivation at Shriners Children’s Open

Interestingly, the 10x Major winner was also one of the 13 women who founded LPGA in 1950, which paved the way for more female golfers to come forward. But, what about the other LPGA pros who have also competed against men?

How have Lexi Thompson’s other LPGA stars fared?

Before, Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lincicome was the last woman to play at a PGA event in the 2018 Barbasol Championship. Shooting 78-71, the two-time Major Champion missed the cut.

Michelle Wie West played seven times in the PGA Tour, first in the Sony Open at the age of 14. Her 72-68 is still the best figure for an LPGA pro in a PGA event. 

Suzy Whaley is the only female golfer after Zaharias to compete at a PGA event without any sponsor exemption. Whereas, Annika Sorenstam, then in her prime, played the 2003 Bank of America Colonial, becoming the first woman in 50 years to do so.

Going back in history, after Zaharias, another LPGA co-founder, Shirley Spork, competed in the no-cut 1952 Northern California-Reno Open. She finished at 105 on the leaderboard.

Now, what remains to be seen is whether Thompson’s impactful performance opens up more such opportunities for other LPGA stars and upcoming pros.

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