“I shouldn’t have said that” - Peter Malnati retracts his words about Lexi Thompson playing the Shriners Children's Open on the PGA Tour
Lexi Thompson is set to compete at the 2023 Shriners Children's Open in Las Vegas next week. The LPGA Tour golfer will compete in the PGA Tour event after earning an exemption into the game.
PGA Tour player Peter Malnati was quick to respond to Thompson's entry into the competition. He said that having her play at the PGA Tour event might have been a stretch. The American, however, quickly corrected himself, admitting that he shouldn't have stated that.
Speaking about Lexi Thompson, Malnati said (via ESPN):
"I shouldn't have said that. I don't know that having Lexi play is a gimmick, but I don't think the tournaments are going to have to go to those kind of lengths to drum up interest and get storylines that they can sell because I think these events are actually going to have a lot of meaning.
"Like I said, change is hard for everyone at every level, so I assume if you're a host organization of a tournament ... you just don't know right now for sure what you have anymore because the fall is completely reimagined," he added.
The 2023 Shriners Children's Open is all set to take place from October 9 to 15.
"I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity" - Lexi Thompson excited to play at the PGA Tour event
Lexi Thompson played with men in the QBE Shootout for six years. Having turned pro in 2010, she has won 15 professional tournaments including 11 LPGA Tour events, two on the Ladies European Tour and one on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
She is excited to compete at the PGA Tour event next week. The 28-year-old hopes her availability to compete in the men's tournaments will help other women golfers take inspiration from it.
She said (via Golf Week):
“I’m hopeful that my ability to play with the men next week at the Shriners Children’s Open sends a great message to the young women that you can chase your dream regardless of how hard it is. I cannot wait to come to the city of Las Vegas, and I’m grateful to Shriners Children’s for this opportunity to spend the week alongside these inspirational kids.”
Shriners Children's Open executive director Patrick Lindsey is also excited to have Lexi Thompson playing at the PGA Tour event. Speaking about the LPGA Tour golfer, Lindsey said:
“We are thrilled to welcome Lexi to the 2023 tournament. Shriners Children’s mission is to help all children live their best life regardless of what medical challenges lay in front of them. We are eager to have Lexi on the course and continue to break through barriers, just as our more than 1.5 million patients do every day.”
Thompson has also won one major tournament in her career and has recorded a good finish in all the other major tournaments.