Nichols: I’ve changed my mind on Lexi Thompson playing on the PGA Tour

Last week, my initial thought was that Lexi Thompson should not play against men. This is a terrible idea.

Why now?

Thompson has been in a losing streak for four years on the LPGA. She is only now beginning to show signs of improvement. Why would she risk a possible cauldron full of criticism by signing up for a PGA Tour tournament? If she fails to perform at the Shriners Children’s Open, she could lose the self-confidence she has built since the Solheim Cup.

After several conversations with people who are wiser and have more experience, I now see Thompson’s choice in a completely different light.

Since then, I’ve concluded that Thompson and golf are worth the risk.

This is not the same as Annika’s appearance in The Colonial twenty years ago. Sorenstam, at that time was the top player in women’s golf. She wanted to push herself further than she had ever been before. Sorenstam’s personal goal was to push herself beyond her previous limits. But she also carried the weight of women’s golf and the Tour on her shoulders. Sports fans literally gathered to watch her.

Sorenstam took a big risk by playing, but it paid off. The Swede’s departure from Texas made her an even stronger force in women’s sport.

Thompson is not the dominant player on the LPGA. However, she is known and popular for both her victories and her crushing defeats. The LPGA will not suffer if Thompson does not perform to her usual standards at the Shriners.

It’s unlikely that the 28-year old will be the first woman since Babe Zaharias to make a PGA Tour cut. If she succeeds, , it will be far more famous than winning a Major.

Thompson’s resilience is frequently praised. No player in modern times has suffered more heartbreaking defeats. The four stroke penalty fiasco in 2017 at the ANA inspiration and the back-nine collapse of 2021 at the U.S. Women’s Open were the two most heartbreaking losses.

The media saga that followed the untimely shank at the Solheim Cup on Friday on the 18th hole brought back memories of those fragile times.

Thompson’s resolve is undeniable even though she may be reluctant to share her story.

Stacy Lewis informed Thompson, not long before the U.S. squad left for Spain that Thompson would not be playing in foursomes at the Solheim Cup.

Angela Stanford said, “I believe she could have taken it in a variety of ways. Instead she was a wonderful teammate.” She worked hard and put her head down.

Thompson didn’t get the opening shots on Friday foursomes. She was required to show Lewis her skills on the course that week, and she did.

Thompson’s record of 3-1-0 was both a personal triumph and a sign that good things were to come.

She has posted two top-10 finishes since the Solheim. This includes four rounds that were in the 60s. She’s not yet in the top 60 for the CME Group Tour Championship that ends the season, but she is now within striking distance of qualifying at No. 82.

Thompson is the only woman who can compete with the men in this year’s golf season. There are other women playing better than Thompson, but it’s difficult to imagine that they should. Thompson’s physical attributes – spin, strength, and length – are rare in women. Fewer still would gain anything from playing on the PGA Tour in this stage of their career. It’s not worth the risk.

Thompson has been through a lot of disappointments, even though she’s not won a major in almost 10 years. Thompson has been subjected to more scrutiny than most LPGA players.

She has also been in front of the camera since she was 12 years old and played on the LPGA for more than 10 years. The outcome of a difficult week in Vegas will not define her.

The kids were the obvious factor that changed my mind.

Thompson is without a doubt one of the most engaging tour performers when it comes down to fan interaction. Even if it was the worst day of her life, as it appeared to be six years ago in Rancho Mirage, she would still smile and sign autographs while her cheeks were stained with tears.

A child’s reaction to a woman competing in a world dominated by men is different. Thompson may have inspired a young girl to continue playing golf, even if she is the only female in her group. A little boy may invite a girl to join his group after watching a woman on the PGA Tour.

Thompson’s presence may bring in more fans, and raise more money to help Shriners patients across the country.

Thompson will make sure that kids of all ages, and abilities have a memorable day in Vegas on Thursday.

That’s a victory.